SIGNAL FIVE
(OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE OHIO STATE TROOPERS ASSOCIATION)
Concern for Troopers Safety Should Not Be A Cause For Investigation!
February 2, 2010,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COLUMBUS, OH 43229
Recent events at the Governor's Mansion and the "convenient leaking" of a case investigation to the media have once again cast the Ohio State Highway Patrol in a negative light. While there was a hope that the old guard, who were content with the status quo within the division, would remain professional and work for the betterment of the Patrol once their hand-picked candidate(s) for Colonel were not selected, it is now clear that will not be the case. Once again the Director and OSP Superintendent Dicken are under attack through the use of the media and threats of Inspector General investigations.
In the case at the Governor's mansion a tip was received that some type of contraband, either tobacco or drugs, was going to be smuggled into the prison by using the Governor's mansion as the drop point. At the time of the planned drop, Governor Ted Strickland was in residence and prisoners from Ohio's Penal System were being used as labor. There were also Troopers who are assigned to the residence as security. While the investigation could not show exactly what was going to be smuggled in, it could also not obviously say that nothing else, like weapons, was going to be smuggled in as well.
While those involved in the planning of this "sting operation" obviously had good intentions, to potentially place OSP Troopers, as well as the Governor, in a situation were convicted felons could have access to weapons is foolhardy. While those heading OIS were confident that they could control the situation, there are no guarantees. Contraband had previously be smuggled onto the grounds, a fact that was withheld from Colonel Dicken and the Department of Public Safety.
There is no need for any further investigation! Colonel Dicken placed the well being of uniformed officers above any potential criminal or prison administration charges. This concern for units in the field is certainly long overdue.
It is the hope of the Ohio State Troopers Association that Governor Ted Strickland will not only applaud this concern for the safety of officers, but will also not allow it to be used to further the agenda of those personal axes to grind.
