Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 24, 1994 TAG: 9405240099
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DIANE STRUZZI STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Monday night's public hearing about the Roanoke Police Department held true to the spectrum of Kurz's experience.
Six citizens spoke at the hearing, but they were outnumbered by the many police officers in the audience. Most talked about the advantages accreditation brings to police departments, namely professionalism, pride and written policy.
Lou Ellis, who worked on a law enforcement task force for the city manager, said the Police Department has continued to evolve its policies and procedures to deal with a changing society.
Roanoke County Police Chief John Cease talked up the strong relationship between the two municipalities' departments. Roanoke County has the only police department in the Roanoke Valley that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, based in Fairfax.
But two people came to tell of a department administration they claim ignored their needs.
Former police Officer Tyler Palmer and his wife said the police administration failed to counsel them after he shot and killed two suspects.
In 1987, Palmer, a 10-year veteran of the force, shot and killed a man who pulled a gun during a routine traffic stop on Orange Avenue. In 1989, he killed a man who opened his motel room door and pointed a pistol at him.
In each case, the commonwealth's attorney found the shootings justified. In each case, Palmer said, he was back on the street the next day. No counseling was ever considered for him or his family. He said he was told if he needed to take time off, he could use some of his vacation.
"I'd like to see some professional standards at this department," he told the three-member assessment team. "There's no reason any of these [officers] should ever have to go through the hell I went through."
Palmer worked as a DARE officer for three years and recently asked to be transferred back to street patrol. Palmer said he was told by a ranking officer that the media would have a "heyday" with him if he shot someone else, particularly if the person was black.
Palmer resigned late last year and was unsuccessful in his attempts to be rehired several months ago.
Chief M. David Hooper, who attended the public hearing, said Palmer's case was handled appropriately and that it was not mandatory to provide psychological counseling for officers during the late 1980s. That policy changed, and it is now mandatory, he said.
Kurz said comments from the hearing were videotaped and would be sent to the commission, which will make its decision in July.
by CNB