FLDS police investigation
 
Opinion
The Spectrum
 
The inaction of Utah's Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) to decertify police officers in the polygamous towns of Hildale and Colorado City means five marshals get to keep their badges. Badges which at times have been alleged to get tucked away to uphold the "higher law" in loyalty to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints President Warren Jeffs.

Jeffs is heralded as a prophet, seer and revelator. These titles are given more credit and validity than any Utah Code of Law within the twin towns' police force as evidenced by an intercepted letter from Chief Fred Barlow in 2005 to then-fugitive Jeffs. Barlow reaffirmed his allegiance to Jeffs and in the letter sought his advice on how to run the police department.

This, in part, has caused wide-spread concern that law enforcement direction has come primarily from Jeffs, even while he sits in a jail cell at Purgatory Correctional Facility awaiting a trial to face charges of first-degree felony rape as an accomplice. He has additionally been charged in federal court with unlawful flight to evade prosecution.

It makes sense for POST, which oversees Utah peace officers, to keep its investigation open to see how a similar inquiry by Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board turns out. Instead of rushing to judgment with accusations of inappropriate conduct, Utah will follow Arizona's lead after its investigation wraps up in July. A lawyer representing the five officers in the border towns said POST's decision was a "victory" and it showed the police force had done nothing contrary to its duty to protect and serve. We wouldn't go that far, but we would say that POST is simply adhering to the justice system motto, "innocent until proven guilty."

Let's remember, there are serious allegations against these officers. They include disregarding claims of sex abuse and exiling teenage boys from the communities at the bidding of religious leaders. Court-appointed fiduciary of the church's trust, Bruce Wisan, and his attorneys have even said the marshals have been difficult to work with in enforcing court orders and policies. These assertions should be handled with every rock unturned before a ruling that can strip these marshals of their peace officer certification.

Utah POST should push forward to get to the bottom of the situation so that people living in that area get true justice. Its decision on Monday is just the first step in accomplishing that.
 
TheSpectrum.com
Originally published March 25, 2007
 
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