Corruption: Clear out the rot in law enforcement
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Something appears to be rotten in West Virginia law enforcement. Or, perhaps, outside investigators and other law enforcement organizations are doing a better job of rooting out what has always been there.
Either way, we've got a problem. Most recently, the rot was brought to light in the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where a former regional director of parole, David Jones, was sentenced for witness tampering. Jones had admitted to deliberately withholding information and lying to state and federal investigators during their investigation of sexual misconduct by a state parole officer Jones was supposed to be supervising.
Jones also admitted that on multiple occasions over three years he repeatedly instructed the other officer to lie to federal investigators and destroy and withhold evidence. The other officer in question is Anthony DeMetro, whose sentence includes having to register as a sex offender for violating the civil rights of a female parolee by sexually assaulting her while he was serving as her parole officer.
"We thank the survivor for having the courage and strength to come forward to tell her story," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "The Department of Justice will continue to hold accountable public officials who exploit their power and authority to sexually assault and harm vulnerable people."
Combine this story with the unfolding investigation into the West Virginia State Police, and what we know of some county and even municipal law enforcement, and it becomes even more urgent for those in positions of responsibility to clean up the rot before it begins to affect the many very good men and women we have in law enforcement in this state.
Failure to do so does an immense disservice to those who truly work to serve and protect. It puts them at risk, and we owe them better than that.