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Under
attack in Wayne County The right of police officers to be free from compulsory self-incrimination is under attack in Wayne County, but responsible law enforcement organizations are standing up to the challenge. County Prosecutor Michael Duggan has taken the position that he can see Garrity statements "any time he wants," despite the 1967 US Supreme Court decision stating that: policemen, like teachers and lawyers, are not relegated to a watered-down version of constitutional rights and ruling that statements which a law enforcement officer is compelled to make under threat of possible forfeiture of his or her job could not subsequently be used against the officer in a criminal prosecution. Because of Duggan's pronouncement, MAP is warning all police officers, regardless of their union affiliation, to be extremely careful in the way they word any Garrity statements they fill out. Meanwhile, the Michigan Association of Police Organizations (MAPO) is at the forefront in defending Garrity. "All MAPO member organizations are working together to not only protect the rule, but to strengthen it, as well," said MAP Executive Director Fred Timpner. "We have met with the Governor's Office and have been assured of her support on this issue. In addition, our legislative liaison firm, Karoub Associates, has been actively pursuing the goal of clarifying and bolstering Garrity via the State Legislature. "In fact, Representative Larry Julian (R-Lennon) soon will introduce legislation aimed at achieving these important objectives." MAP and MAPO are not alone in resisting the prosecutor's attack. The Wayne County Chiefs of Police Association has stated its strong opposition to Duggan's stance and Garden City Police Chief David Harvey has refused, along with others, to accede to it. "These officials deserve credit for sticking to their principles and to both the letter and the spirit of the Supreme Court decision," Timpner declared. The Michigan State Troopers Association (MSTA), also a MAPO member organization, has joined MAP in publicly supporting the chiefs' association and in proclaiming readiness to assist in any legal challenge to Garrity by Duggan's office. MAP's commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Garrity rights has been demonstrated consistently. The union has even taken a case to the US Supreme Court. In contrast, one entity representing police officers has, unfortunately and astonishingly, not joined the defense of one of their membership's most basic rights. "One of our labor relations specialist, Joel Felt, and representatives of several other unions accepted invitations to attend a recent meeting of the Wayne County Chiefs," Timpner said. "He and everyone else present was absolutely dumbfounded when the attorney representing another large police union stated that his organization's position on the issue was 'to remain neutral.' "Joel said that mouths actually dropped open all around the room when that statement was made." "MAP can only hope that the members of that union will convey their concern to the organization's leadership and point out the obvious need for backing any defense against this or any other assault on Garrity." Timpner called the defense campaign "another example of the value of responsible law enforcement unions working together as a cooperating organization - in this case, MAPO - to achieve mutual goals for all of their members." Along with MAP and the MSTA, MAPO includes: the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC), the Detroit Police Officers Association (DPOA), the Detroit Lieutenants and Sergeants Association (DLSA), the Michigan State Command Officers Association (MSCOA), the Warren Police Officers Association (WPOA) and the Flint Police Officers Association (FPOA).
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