A murdered farmworker reveals who's really behind exonerating police shootings
image credit: Skepticalraptor
The above cartoon best illustrates what happens when an alleged independent police organization investigates itself!
Three Washington officers who shot and killed a Mexican farmworker last February "did not violate Department policies and procedures," an internal investigation from the Pasco Police Department.
“We have exhaustively reviewed this incident, and my decision to return the officers to duty was founded on the determination that their actions were consistent with Department policies and procedures," Pasco Police Chief Robert Metzger said.
"The police investigated themselves and when they were finished they cleared themselves of all wrongdoing," Rios said. "No one cares that they sprayed 17 bullets into a crowded intersection to kill an unarmed man. This is the nature of policing in this country" Rick Rios, chairman of Consejo Latino, a group calling for police reform, said.
Is Mr. Rios right, are police really investigating themselves?
According to the Pasco Police Department:
"On September 23, the Department announced the completion of the internal review and the outside independent investigation conducted by the Police Policy Studies Council."
image credit: Police Policy Studies Council
Who is the Police Policy Studies Council (PPSC) and are they independent?
"The Police Policy Studies Council was established in 2001 by former training cadre of Smith & Wesson Academy."
The Smith & Wesson Academy trains our nation's law enforcement agencies, it's very existence depends on police departments and of course, selling weapons to law enforcement!
PPSC's mission overview page openly admits it has cops and military trainers on their staff:
"Our wide range of staff expertise and our core commitment to excellence defines who we are as a company. Our staff includes an eclectic mix of security, police and military trainers, medical doctors, psychologists, policy analysts, risk management specialists, and many forensic specialists."
Taking a cursory look at PPSC 's staff page reveals, there are a minimum of 17 cops conducting alleged independent police studies, more on that later.
Thomas Aveni who heads the PPSC was a cop for 23 years.
Mr. Aveni boasts about his close relationship with numerous police publications:
"Tom has also been a frequent contributor to several law enforcement publications, such as Law & Order Magazine, Police & Security News, The Trainer, and others. In 2001, Mr. Aveni co-founded the Police Policy Studies Council."
Clicking on Mr. Aveni's LinkedIn page also revealed he's a member of at least 14 law enforcement organizations. Click here to see the PPSC Facebook page.
It doesn't get anymore independent than that does it?
FYI, the CPSC also has an L.E. (law enforcement) forum page.
It's all about the money at the PPSC:
Mr. Aveni is making lots of money running two seminars called the "Deadly Force Management" and the "Surviving The Night Shift". These seminars cost $395.00 and $175.00 each. They also charge $295.00 to anyone who'd like to become a "PPSC Security Practitioner" and $195.00 to become a PPSC "Military Assets Protection Specialist." Visit PPSC's links to read about their numerous police training courses and consultations.
According To Mr. Aveni's LinkedIn page he also works with the "Forensic Science Institute (FSI)."
Below, is an excerpt from the FSI website bragging about their close relationship with DHS...
"Congratulations to the graduates of the most recently completed Force Science Certification Course conducted at the Department of Homeland Security's training center in Alexandria, VA and thanks again to the fantastic DHS training team there for their continued support."
Click here, here & here to read more about FSI's close relationship with DHS.
Here are FIVE more reasons not to trust the PPSC:
1.) PPSC: "Pending legislation (if enacted) would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to require a gamut of changes". What's really being said is, the PPSC wants to profit from aiding DHS most likely in the form of grants (cash).
2.) PPSC doctor Fabrice Czarnecki is the Director of Training of the Center for Homeland Security Studies.
3.) Thomas Aveni Executive Director, of the PPSC works closely with DHS.
4.) Christopher Aveni, Tom's brother also works for the PPSC.
5.) Doctor Steve Albrecht is a former cop who works with the PPSC.
Recapping, the PPSC is run by former cops and the Smith & Wesson Academy who would have us believe they're INDEPENDENT!
Once again, the failures of mass-media reporting becomes apparent. Countless stories similar to this one are reported on everyday with nearly zero due diligence being done by anyone!