The union representing police officers in the city of Baltimore has just released it’s after-action report on the Freddie Gray riots and it’s a barn burner.
In summary, the union has accused Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts of caring more about appearances than protecting the city’s cops:
Report says at April 25 roll call, officers told not to wear sunglasses & Batts ordered them to remove gloves to not look "so Billy Badass."
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) July 8, 2015
Report says Batts & commanders put "the image of themselves and City Hall" ahead of civilian, officer safety.
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) July 8, 2015
And this anonymous officer nukes Batts, saying he “led us officers to slaughter”:
One officer's account from the FOP report: pic.twitter.com/YnQrS6vAuo
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) July 8, 2015
More excerpts, including accusations that the cops were left as “sitting ducks” because of poor equipment and protective gear:
One of the overall conclusions of @FOP3 report? The unrest and riots "were preventable."
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) July 8, 2015
Report says officers felt like "sitting ducks," and that they were being "paraded about for the media with no concern for their well being."
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) July 8, 2015
Issue: "Credible threat" release "a serious error." pic.twitter.com/qfKTzwI2er
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) July 8, 2015
Issues: Poor equipment pic.twitter.com/Y2ETnpgvoi
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) July 8, 2015
Issue: Protective gear pic.twitter.com/hk6RhuRiEa
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) July 8, 2015
Recommended
Issue: arrests had to approved by legal: pic.twitter.com/2CCvGfZmTd
— Kevin Rector ☀️ (@RectorSun) July 8, 2015
Findings:
-"Orders were given not to engage protesters"
-"All arrests had to be approved by civilians in BPD legal section"— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) July 8, 2015
(Cont)
-"Commissioner Batts seeks to divide BPD rather than unite it"
-"Officers didnt have adequate equipment during initial deployment"— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) July 8, 2015
(cont)
-"Officers were ordered to advance and then retreat repeatedly"
-Criticizes the "gang threat" put out during Gray's funeral— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) July 8, 2015
"Overwhelming sentiment is that department's response was inadequate in many areas," President Gene Ryan says
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) July 8, 2015
Ryan says response was, among other things, "politically motivated" and "uncaring"
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) July 8, 2015
You can read the entire report here:
Our first take on the FOP's "after action review" to the riot; you can read the full report here as well http://t.co/b7KCpJIgOJ
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) July 8, 2015
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