Ferry FOP issues a statement
MARTINS FERRY Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 78 President Jerry E. Murphy issued a statement Friday in attempt to assuage the public relations hits befalling the department recently.
"As investigative documents in the Barry Carpenter trial have unfolded in the local news media and the media coverage have stated allegations of 'questionable work' within the Martins Ferry Police Department, I want to inform you, the citizens of Martins Ferry and all those who visit the city throughout the course of your daily lives we are doing our job,'' Murphy's statement began. "We have never stopped doing our job.
"The level of professionalism has not faltered, nor the level of integrity for the protection and service to all the residents, business owners, property owners, employees and visitors within the City of Martins Ferry.
"We are still open for business and will continue to protect and serve the people we have sworn to oath.
"We have endured a lot over the past year and it has taken its toll on the entire city, but we will move forward to recover and uphold why many have proclaimed the City of Martins Ferry 'the pride of the valley.'
"We are the Martins Ferry Police Department, your neighbor, your friend and your family.''
With the aftermath of the surrogate scandal case that saw the resignation and subsequent conviction of former police chief Barry Carpenter finally starting to simmer down, new allegations surfaced this week.
Among those are that both Carpenter and current Lieutenant-in-Charge Phil Hartman had access to pornographic material on the chief's computer. There were also allegations of improper usage of city vehicles, and witness tampering.
Mayor Phil Wallace asked for an executive session to discuss ''personnel, hiring and firing,'' during Thursday's council meeting, a session that lasted nearly 30 minutes.
No action was taken following that executive session, nor was there any taken following a meeting Friday between city officials and the police department.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled for Monday in the city building.
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OhValleyGuy
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03-07-10 1:10 PM
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Prince, if you read or saw the story on TV-9's website, it was about much more than ****.
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PrinceByTor
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03-06-10 10:35 PM
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**** is everywhere. Did those officers at the MFPD act unprofessionally? Yes. If the officer in question was closing himself in his office and masturbating in front of his computer, I'd say get rid of him, he's a pervert. If a group of officers were gawking at **** and laughing about it, well....that's probably forgivable. Police officers are tough guys, and tough guys, for whatever reason, have to prove to each other that they're manly men. So they look at ****. is it wrong? Yes. Is it a reason for the media to humiliate them? I don't think so.
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OhValleyGuy
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03-06-10 1:24 PM
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susanTtalker, normally I might agree with you, but in this case, TV-9 isn't quoting any "secret sources", they got the investigative paperwork from BCI (bureau of criminal investigation) from Carpenter's case and are following up on statements that Hartman and others made during the course of the investigation. IMO, the news is doing their job in this case and asking the city officials if they knew about these things and if they're being dealt with.
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susanTtalker
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03-06-10 2:19 AM
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I think it's disgusting how some local television stations will just get papers from so-called "secret sources" and read them on the air as if they have done a big investigation.
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concerned1
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03-05-10 11:37 PM
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I believe that this is one of the few place left that I would feel safe walking down the street at 2 or 3 in the morning. I just want to say thank you to the men and women that do protect this city and we continue to support all of you all we can agian THANKS to all of you
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OhValleyGuy
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03-05-10 10:29 PM
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Murphy's a good man, as are most of the officers serving on MFPD. They should keep their heads up. Their department, like others, had a few bad apples. One is gone, the other is being investigated. Hopefully once this second investigation is over and dealt with, that PD's problems and time in the media spotlight will be over for a while.
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Harbor2
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03-05-10 10:20 PM
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Rather than begging for forgiveness; why doesn't FOP 78 just go about their business the very best way that they know; and let the public judge how good they are doing rather than looking for a pat on the back. Trust the public, they know when you are doing a good job!
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