Saline's Serpico

[XLFD]

One of the major foundations of this country is that we are a nation of laws (a republic) and that before the law, no one is supposed to receive special treatment.  The portals of our highest court has the simple, but profound phrase of "Equal Justice Under Law" etched in it. 

In reality, that ideal is more difficult to maintain.  Those who enforce the law all too often believe that the law does not apply to them or their fellow enforcers.  One would hope that when one police officer in good faith, witnesses and reports badly on another officer disobeying the law, that he would be praised by all for being a good cop acting for the good of the community.  But seldom is this praise given by those who have swore oaths to the public to follow the laws of the land. 

This is not a new phenomenon, witness the plight of Frank Serpico, a NYPD cop who fifty years ago had to endure many hardships (including being shot in the face) after he blew the whistle on rampant police corruption in his department.  Many believe the blue wall of silence has only gotten worst since that time, and more widespread, sometimes encompassing the government units that the police in question work for.  Locally, witness the lack of any condemnation of police units by anyone on the Ludington City Council and the Mason County Board of Commissioners following their agreement to large court settlements for gross misdeeds of the LPD and MCSO respectively. 

In Saline, Michigan, allegations of police misconduct by a police witness has rocked this city the size of Ludington located just southwest of Ann Arbor.  Saline police officer Don Lupi (pictured below) has been a 13 year detective on the force, being involved in every major investigation during that time.  Lupi helped solve a high-profile 2003 rape case and was assisting Bath Township police in the 2014 Dustyn Frolka homicide investigation that involved teenagers from Saline. He also helped solve the 2012 TCF Bank robbery.  

A recent demotion from detective occurred reportedly just after a May 2015 meeting Lupi had with his chief and the Saline City Manager, Todd Campbell.  After Lupi spoke at length about two fellow officers having sex with a minor runaway and her friend during a police 'drive-along', his chief allegedly asked him:  "Are you done?", and continued with "Starting next rotation, you are back on the road."   Since then, Lupi has worked a rotating schedule and has had his office and department-issued cell phone taken away from him.  There is no indication that the alleged rapes are being investigated by the officer that has replaced Lupi.

This and more is what has been claimed in a lawsuit filed on August 6th on Lupi's behalf by attorney, Ann Arbor-based Nick Roumel.  Lupi has been in talks about these issues with various city officials going back to 2011. Roumel was retained a year and a half ago to represent the officer when no traction was gained.

Four days ago, the Ann Arbor News editorial board reports:  "A lawsuit from police officer Don Lupi landed like a bomb in town... Rather than explain when the complaint was made and how it was investigated, Saline officials only had "no comments" when questioned by The News. At a closed session meeting of council, members were led through a side door rather than coming through the front, which allowed them to avoid questions from the press.

This is not becoming behavior for our officials and only makes it seem that they have something to hide.

Instead of hiding behind a wall of silence, Mayor Brian Marl or City Manager Todd Campbell needs to step out and explain in detail the circumstances of the investigation. Campbell did issue a press release that said the "decades old" complaint was "thoroughly and appropriately investigated" and determined to be unfounded.

But a police officer having sex with a 16-year-old girl is a serious enough allegation that the public deserves a better explanation about the investigation than that. It's time for Saline officials to provide it."

Good luck on that, if the other city leaders (pictured above) are as accountable as Lupi paints the city manager and police chief.  It's very simple to provide facts of a closed "decades old" investigation, they are public records and should be available on request-- or when the City of Saline's reputation will suffer if it isn't.  Most will assume that either no investigation or a flawed investigation took place, after all, Detective Lupi would know of such an investigation taking place and its extent, wouldn't he?

When you throw up your arms and wonder where all of the good cops are after the latest episode of brutality, murder, or other police misconduct caught on video crosses your screen, remember that this is their typical path.  Bullied into submission to the Blue Shield, or getting ran off the force, with the endorsement of the local city council who value a snitch-free workplace over the ideals that have made our country great in the past.

Now, more than ever, when such courageous whistleblowing police come forward in good faith they must be celebrated for their bravery and for their unwavering devotion to duty.  And for those who stand in their way, and in the way of transparency, they should be denounced stridently and reminded of what constitutes being a good public officer.

[Willy]

Law suits always have a way of getting the public's attention. Good for officer Lupi to finally take the Department and City to task for not being forthcoming with information.

[XLFD]

Lawsuits like this and their lack of public acknowledgment by the public bodies/police departments are indicative of a non-responsive, unaccountable unit of local government.  City councilors only look corrupt, guilty, and heartless when they remain silent on such topics, even if the city attorneys strongarm them into saying "no comment".   This is how evil intents get footholds in government-- when otherwise good people serving their community do nothing to prevent it.

[AQUAMAN]

It's the new standard for political acceptance of corruption per Shyster Shay and Barney Barnett: go ahead and sue, you won't win. And if by chance you do win, our insurance will pay, and we'll call it a distraction and technicality. Otherwise, depend on the city attorneys to do likewise, with help from corrupt local judges, and corrupt news media editors. Too bad, we need more cops like Lupi and Serpico on the side of right.