Officer Frank Palestro, the latest cop to call foul on corruption in the NYPD, has gotten serious flak from his fellow police and the union, though he maintains he was just doing his duty. The union delegate and nine-year police veteran was outed after secretly reporting Lt. Susana Seda for behavior such as telling cops to write summonses for traffic violations they didn't witness, refusing to take complaints and tampering with a gun at a crime scene. Since then, he's been transferred so he won't have to deal with the wrath of his peers in the precinct. "I was the [Patrolmen's Benevolent Association] delegate, and now I'm labeled a rat for doing what I was supposed to do," said Palestro. "This will stay with me for the rest of my career."
According to Palestro, union reps rarely report the infractions of their fellow officers. "I wrestled with it for a while because I'm a delegate and we don't do things like this," he told the Daily News. In the end he made three anonymous phone calls reporting corruption within his precinct, but the log of his calls somehow made its way into the vents of his locker at the stationhouse! "[Seda] told everybody I was a 'f------ rat,'" he said, adding that the union has also reprimanded him. So far no action has been taken against the accused lieutenant.
Palestro's allegations follow a study that revealed widespread and deeply ingrained corruption regarding how the NYPD's crime statistics are obtained, as well as whistleblowing by several other members of the force.
15 comments:
D.J. 8791
You just dont know, when it somes to the criminal justice community these days.... It is flooded with curruption. It is so sad that these inidividual put in place to protect civilians are misusing this power and instead of helping civilians, are burying them in the gorund. I commend lieutenant Palestro for speaking out against whats wrong. However, I am terrified for the struggle he will have to face due to doing the right thing. This 'whistle-blowing' can be crucial to one's carreer, that supposedly is what helps all the corruption within the force, as, no one wishes to lose their jobs or be pressured by other officers because they 'snitched'. In order to put a stop to these corrupted departments and individuals within the police force, several officer need to get unitfied and speak out together, they cant possibly re-locate everyone. Then, the easier option would be to have it corrected!
It is bitter-sweet when you thinking you are doing the right thing and then it blows up in your face.Officer Frank Palestro was doing the right thing by maintaining his commitment, integrity and oath to uphold the law. And now, he is labeled and outcast as a rat by his colleagues. To all whistleblowers do not compromise yourself to be accepted by one group in order to hurt another group. SJS-5514
if you do not think like other people think you are weird...so the situation here is kind of the same thing even though he is upholding his prioritizes and ethics....by that he is hurting a bunch of officers interests which they do not like and singling him out..
*|MI3807|*
This is the kind of police officer that needs the protection and support of the community. I am so filled with hatred for the NYPD and their dirty tactics. It helps a lot to see that police are policing themselves. Unfortunately this is just a small drop in the ocean of problems with justice system in NYC. It starts with the police but it goes to the top to the commissioner and mayor and spreads to the courtroom's lawyers and judges. This guy offers a glimmer of hope…..VAF2053
Okay, how can law enforcement expect civilians to "say something when they see something" when they pretty much get crused when they try to do the "right" thing. It's unfortunately a double-edged sword. Damned if you do damned if you don't. Kudos to PO Palestro; however, he will have to deal with this for the rest of his career.
This officer makes you feel sooooo proud, There are many folks in law enforcement that want to expose corruption.
TELL,TELL,and TELL. You ought to stand for something or you may fall for anything!!!!!ah1123
Well I don't think whistle blowing in any precinct flows smoothly with any of your fellow officers. Don't expect to be padded on the back for telling the truth on corrupt cops and don't expect friends neither because most likely the cops you called friends are the ones' you blew the whistle on but all in all, he did the right thing and I'm glad to see some honest police work within it's own walls.
Darnell I don't commend the officer for breaking the blue wall of silence simply because snitching is snitching no matter who it is you are telling on. But,of course he had his reasons. His actions hasn't necessarily put an end to the corruption that is evident in several police departments. In fact, he only lost the trust of his fellow officers.
Darnell I don't commend the officer for his whistle blowing tactics simply because of the severity of his fellow officers crime. No one was affected directly from the traffic violations that was falsely written. Although, I would appreciate it if that particular officer speak up the next time the police use deadly force to detain someone guilty of wrongdoing.
Hooray for whisle blowing,whether its welcomed or not,there is nothing wrong with it,just be careful and keep blowing the whistle(toot toot)
What is defined as whistle blowing? Aren't all officers sworn to tell the truth. The blue wall of silence seems to be an unfair rule. If someone is breaking the law they shouldn't be excused because they are officers. Is that justice? My hat goes off to those who step up to the plate and realize truth is better than a lie. Its dealing with the trauma and after effect that the ones that tell the truth have to go through. Is it really worth being a officer? Only if u promise not to tell...RSI-3774
I fully support this man. He was just doing his job. Cops are suppose to set an example for others to do the right thing. But how can they do that if they're doing wrong themselves. That's just the reality of snitching no matter what situation or who it is.
Im glad more stories are coming like this. I know there is corruption going on every department. It takes a strong person to actually admit and go through the obstacles to be heard. SJC 1687
Theres nothing wrong with whistle blowing, its not a crime..So keep on whistling.
this is a problem that doesn't stop in the nypd, but nothing is done about it. this is a bad department to be a good cop in. so if anyone who wants to be the worst cop ever and take advantage of his/ her position as an officer, work for the nypd. you are very welcomed there and wont lose your job. maybe you'll get transfered here and there. that's all.
s.d. 4954
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