I sent an email to Spokane Mayor Condon with specific recommendations on what he could do to change the culture and behavior of SPD.  Here’s a comment I just posted in S-R Tom Clouse’s most recent article in which I included my email to Mayor Condon:

January 24, 2012 in News, City

Thompson seeks sentence reduction

@Truthhurts

I agree with you about ensuring Mayor Condon keeps his campaign promises – Treppeidi. I think the feds are paying for Thompson’s defense now. It’s still taxpayer money though.

Here’s my email to Mayor Condon with my punch list including my recommendations for SPD. I forgot to include personal cameras. I also suggested tightening up the background investigations of lateral hires esp for short termers from Cali – they may be problem children e.g., perhaps Hirzel and Thompson:-)

Punch list:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jan/13/condon-team-big-on-ideas-and-jargon/?comments#c398489

Here’s a list of addresses where interested citizens can also write to encourage the US DOJ do a P&P investigation of SPD. Also the address of the US Attorney’s Office address to encouraged them to expand their current criminal investigation into the Otto Zehm cover-up and to prosecute others culpable for obstruction of justice:

Addresses:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jan/13/condon-team-big-on-ideas-and-jargon/?comments#c396977

Dear Mr. Condon,

I attended your recent meeting where you received the reports from your transition committees. My specific interest is with regaining the trust of SPD with the citizens of Spokane.

First see my comments directly related to restoring the fiscal responsibility and integrity of the City’s stewardship of the taxpayer money and my analysis of why the Spokane economy fails to launch in my blog post:

Condon team big on ideas – and jargon
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jan/13/condon-team-big-on-ideas-and-jargon/

I would strongly recommend a read the comment thread of Shawn Vestal’s column on your meeting. See my comment below in this very active thread regarding the SPD. This thread is now over 140 comments.

I was shocked but not surprised that the City’s financial accounting system is fragmented. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND bringing in an outside forensic auditor to audit the City’s accounts both enterprise and general fund. I can personally recommend Tiffany Couch who has uncovered significant irregularities with the Columbia River Crossing Project (CRC) in Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA:

Acuity Group PLLC
Forensic Accounting and Financial Investigation
http://www.acuityforensics.com/

It continues to amaze me why City Attorney Howard Delaney and Asst. City Attorney Roco Treppiedi are still employed by the City. A read of the proffer filed by the US Attorney’s Office in the Thompson case in April of 2010 says it all. Further in the filing last week by AUSA Tim Durkin who prosecuted the Thompson case, was shocked to learn that video forensics work paid for by the US DOJ was released to Asst. City Attorney Treppiedi et al (See the attached new filing). It would not surprise me if the US Attorney’s Office continues with its current criminal investigation, that Treppiedi is indicted for obstruction of justice e.g., the overt cover-up of the death of Otto Zehm by the SPD.

My recommendations for SPD can be done quickly and do not involve MOU negotiations with the Guild. I’ve heard though I have not researched it yet that outgoing Mayor Verner has precluded any substantive SPD MOU negotiations on the OPO for a few years out.

It continues to amaze me that there has been no official disciplinary action taken by the City against those SPD employees that saluted Thompson in the Federal Courtroom. Unlike former Chief Kirkpatrick and Mayor Verner characterized as protected free speech, this was a clear violation of SPD policy. Case law is very clear that public employees and esp. police can be disciplined for public statements and actions that bring embarrassment to the agency.

Also see my comment in this thread as to why Fire Chief Williams should be fired.

Ron Wright