Question for the City Council

In recent days each City Council member received a letter from attorney Kenneth Keller, who represents David Wray. In summary Mr. Keller presented a number of reasons for believing a "black book" containing photos of black police officers and shown to numerous drug users and prostitutes never existed. He did allude to the existence of a black binder with photo arrays prepared in response to a specific complaint.

This follows newspaper disclosure of the memo that the City Manager and City Attorney said did not exist.

In light of these revelations, and the continuing string of information that makes the manager's case against David Wray look more and more suspect, I would like to pose a question to the new City Council.

Does the recent series of events over the line-up book make you understand more fully how unfair it was to presume that Police Chief David Wray and his fellow officers were guilty, and to refuse to extend them the benefit of the doubt? Furthermore, does it make you want to do something concrete to make the situation more tolerable for them? As it stands, David Wray is unable to obtain law enforcement employment commensurate with his experience, education, and skills. Retirement benefits to Wray and his deputy chief were not fully granted, and various officers were forced to incur substantial legal expenses that rightfully should be covered by the city. Fair play suggests the new Council should take another look. At a minimum the city owes Wray and the public a detailed explanation of precisely why he was forced out in the manner that happened.