"Cellphonegate" in Berkeley: Another View

http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2012-05-25/article/39771?headline=-Cellphonegate-in-Berkeley-Another-View--

http://berkeley.patch.com/articles/critics-question-attacks-on-police-chief

Have you gotten all lathered up over news reports that Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan sent Berkeley police on the trail of his son's stolen cell phone, following the electronic signal which the phone's tracking device provided? There's an excellent story on the Berkeley CA Patch website by Rebecca Rosen Lum, an experienced reporter who has written for the Contra Costa Times, exploring the question of why the story has just surfaced. One possible explanation: the city police union is out to get Meehan, who's been reported as trying to get them to shape up a bit.

**Opinion**

Actually, I thought that was a horrendous piece written by Rebecca Rosen Lum. To those that allegedly question why the piece has emerged so late, I would guess that they just learned about it recently rather than earlier. A better question would be: How many other things have went unreported or even have been swept under the carpet? Furthermore, while I do read the Berkeley Patch from time to time, I believe they could seriously use some better assistance with their editing. Also, the article fails to disclose the small amount of instances where a comparable number of officers have been dispatched to similar crimes. Many times, the role of Chief of Police is more political than anything else. Therefore, I find it troubling that Chief Meehan participated in the search warrant regarding the stolen cell phone. Can anyone say, conflict of interest?! I find it awfully coincidental that he is unavailable for comment regarding the story and is out of the city at a training exercise; especially when upon his swearing in as chief, he delivered a speech to officers declaring they would have his support and if necessary, would receive extra training regarding "honest mistakes." Lastly, the same expectations that he placed upon his officers (transparency and “to be willing to apologize”) is seemingly not being carried out by himself.