Research findings, opinions on Waco PD

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This is an excerpt from my current paper due out by Sunday night....

[Excerpt begins page 34]

Stubbs is a lawyer who is governed by a code of ethics. While the new media has stood a lot of these things on end, the point is here that there is a written doctrine that is published and that can be referred to in an event of questionable media behavior. However, Swanton, and the Waco PD have no such doctrine. I know this because I specifically requested it, and the reply was that they have none. I’ll go more into that in the conclusion that follows, as I re-sync my contention that police departments should adhere to high media relations standards comparable the standards of our military organizations (xxx002).. But for now, more from Swanton on this Twin Peaks is at fault issue. An unknown reporter queries the mysterious claim of blaming the restaurant during a press conference the night of the shooting.

REPORTER:

Twin Peaks management has put out a statement saying they are shocked by the shooting. Given your warning to them, shouldn’t they have anticipated something like this?

SWANTON:

Was that local or national? I can tell you that we were in conversations with them earlier in the week and I don’t know what those conversations were and I am not sure what national knew.

(xxx22, )

Local reporter John Carroll was the first KWX News 10 reporter to bring of the issue of the questionable accusation by separating local and national Twin Peaks, and ever so hinted at an actual inquiry, but seemed to hold back on any kind of follow up question.

CARROLL:

We just got word from the local Twin Peaks man, Jake Patel, the operating partner, “we are horrified by the criminal and violent acts that occurred outside of the Waco restaurant today. We share in the community’s trauma and our priority is to provide a safe and enjoyable environment.” And then says, “our management team has worked closely and consider the police our partners in doing so.” That doesn’t really, quite line up with the fact that they have not been cooperative over the last few weeks.”

SWANTON:

I’ll tell you that that statement is an absolute fabrication. That is not true. Anyone else?

(xxx22, )

The last thing that I want to do here is do another finger pointing routine, but notice how Swanton makes a clear distinction between national Twin Peaks management and local, however the Austin connection, which Stubbs cites, is never made throughout all the various reporting on this blame issue, which eventually ends with the national office revoking the local franchise license. The mythology is proving to be a true mythology, as the gray areas seemed to be even grayer than they appear at first glance. And it is difficult to prove, but I noted that Carroll failed to ask a follow up, indicative that questioning the police officer further was out of bounds in the local hearts and minds – a mythology that the PD and the internal and external mechanisms support. After all, does he mean the whole statement is fabrication… even the condolences? Seems that such a talented PI professional like Swanton would have been more clear, and a talented reporter would have asked for more clarity. And why is Swanton so red faced and emotion in this response. Is there something more personal here?

[Excerpt ends page 35]

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