Investigation of Middletown police

Have you noticed that the Journal-News hasn’t said anything about the Channel 9 investigation of Middletown’s James Cunningham and the Middletown police? That shows where their loyalties are and their biases too! The Journal’s staff writer, Ed Richter, has already moved on to some really “important stuff” like the front page article about Downtown Middletown Inc’s new director, who from all indications will carry on the city’s misguided focus on the downtown. Essentially, the Journal-News is aiding city hall’s cover-up of their corruption by failing to report it. Ever heard of the sin of omission?

Mr Adkins, City Council and the Police Department have remained silent and unwilling to answer to anyone. That’s how they operate … ignore the problem until citizens forget about it and hope that it gets buried under the piles of propaganda that Ed Richter publishes for Mr Adkins.

Yep, they think they can get away with anything. But those problems aren’t going to just go away and there is a growing stench around city hall that should remind us … there’s something very wrong here!

In case you missed it, here’s the first post about Channel 9’s investigative report. The black print denotes additions to the original post.

WCPO, Channel 9 TV news, has been doing investigative reporting on local police departments. (You can see it on WCPO.com) Three days in a row, their reports included a segment about specific complaints on Middletown police officers (three officers to be exact). The reports exposed records of misconduct from excessive and unnecessary use of force to sexual harassment. They reported an incident witnessed (by fellow police officers) where Lieutenant James Cunningham “drilled” in the face, a mentally ill homeless woman while she was in custody.

Perhaps the most scandalous of these reports was the numerous filings against Lieutenant James Cunningham by fellow police officers (both male and female) concerning sexual harassment. Many of the complaints were made BEFORE he was promoted to lieutenant! There was minimal disciplinary action taken by Major Hoffman (who maybe should be held complicit?) for Cunningham’s numerous and serious violations. Cunningham, as a police officer, was doing the very things for which he could arrest others. It’s shameful that good officers have been subjected to such working conditions.

There are many other incidents that went unreported or ignored and buried. This investigation encompasses only the last 3 years. But what other violations and suspensions have occurred and been condoned by the police department and municipal court over the other 25 years of Cunningham’s tenure? This is the tip of the iceburg.

Since our city manager, Mr Adkins, has requested Cunningham for some of his “special” projects unrelated to policing, such as locating blight for the city to seize (or buy … like Bar Boca for $35,000) and tear down. It would appear that Adkins is also complicit!. Adkins had to know about Cunningham’s record, in fact, Mr Adkins was Prosecutor for the city when Cunningham was a patrolman and sergeant.

Cunningham has been allowed to retire rather than be fired or held responsible for his actions, thus continuing to be rewarded for bad behavior and Middletown residents are paying for it. He has demoralized our police department, maligned our residents and been the source of deep embarrassment to the city. NOW OUR TAX DOLLARS WILL PAY FOR HIS RETIREMENT!! One more financial/ nail in the city’s coffin.

Where was council when all this corruption was taking place? Were they waiting for instructions from Mr. Adkins or were they just oblivious as usual? Shouldn’t council have some questions for Mr Adkins at the next council meeting about ethics and civil rights? Oh, … but council hasn’t taken the blinders off! So Adkins will hide his complicity behind the cover-up of silence a while longer.

Wonder if the group of people who have been abused or maligned by Cunningham have thought of going for a civil suit? And could that civil suit include other police officers and city officials?

Wait ‘til you read some quotes from Channel 9’s in depth, online report! Read a summation appearing on MUSA soon.