PA- Mayor fights to access police department files to investigate claims of police abuse.
MACUNGIE, Pa.—The mayor of this small eastern Pennsylvania town says he needs access to the police department's files so he can investigate citizen complaints about the force and make changes as necessary.
Macungie's police chief says the mayor, a civilian with no law enforcement experience, has no business looking at sensitive investigative materials or telling officers how to do their jobs.
Their dispute has landed in a state appeals court, and the outcome could have a ripple effect on hundreds of Pennsylvania boroughs.
Law enforcement officials say mayors are welcome to exert administrative control of the police, but should not have the right to make decisions about how officers fight crime. Those who side with the mayors say it's their duty to make sure police are accountable and effective. They point out that civilian control of military and law enforcement agencies is a bedrock principle of American democracy.
"When I started to run, I told people I would look into these accusations," Hoffman said. "As soon as I opened my mouth, (the police department) shut the door."
If I have no right to look at any records, then I have no oversight. Can you imagine trying to run a company without access to the records? You couldn't do it," said Hoffman, 58. "It's checks and balances. Everybody's accountable to somebody, and that's the way it's got to work."
http://www.ldnews.com/state/ci_19223343