For months — years, really — we’ve heard cries of “a few bad apples” every time a police officer anywhere commits a civil rights violation or an act of violence against a civilian, implying that a whole police department, or all of law enforcement, can’t be judged on the actions of a few. But the whole saying is actually “one bad apple spoils the barrel.” Here’s another adage: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. Or, to keep with the original metaphor, the only thing needed to allow the rot from “a few bad apples” to spread unchecked is for the good apples to do nothing. But the “good apples” in the Westover Police Department are doing something.
Last week, Westover City Police officers released a letter to the public condemning one of their own for “violating civil rights, lying on official paperwork, destroying evidence, threatening to kill other officers, using racial profanity, targeting and harassing citizens, disregarding direct orders and more” (DP-10-30-20). The accused officer was not named in the public document, and we will not speculate about his or her identity here.
That said, we would like to applaud the Westover officers for taking a clear stand against inappropriate behavior by a fellow police officer. It takes a lot of courage to speak out against a coworker in any setting but especially in law enforcement, which has gained a reputation for protecting itself, first and foremost, and punishing anyone who won’t fall in line.
That’s why, in the wake of a civil rights lawsuit against three officers, it’s heartening to see Westover police take a stand. We’re hopeful that this is the first step in bringing the department back in line with its oath to serve and protect.
There’s a new chief of police in Westover, and we hope he brings with him a culture change. It seems a shift is already starting with the release of the officers’ letter, and we hope Chief Joe Adams will support and nurture an environment that holds police accountable — to the law and to the community — and that does not indiscriminately shield “bad apples” from the consequences of their actions.
We also find it promising that Monongalia County Prosecutor Perri DeChristopher has asked that law enforcement outside the county conduct any investigations into Westover PD. When a department investigates itself, it’s hard to convince the public the inquiry was thorough and impartial.
While a few things are starting to go right in Westover, we wish we could get reassurance the accused officer is no longer in contact with the public. Yes, they are innocent until proven guilty. But when the claims against them range from harassing citizens to destroying evidence, we’d like to know the officer in question isn’t in a position to harm members of the community or to wrongfully alter the course of justice.
We hope the Westover Police Department and the Mon County prosecutor’s office will be as transparent with the public as possible under the circumstances. And we hope this letter condemning a “bad apple” is a sign of more good changes yet to come.
