SAN DIEGO COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Learning from Police Problems

Sheriff Jim Roache and San Diego Police Chief Bob Burgreen are heartened by the findings of a Los Angeles Times Poll that most people’s confidence in local police agencies remains unshaken despite recent allegations of criminal misconduct by several officers.

But the number of people whose confidence has eroded, and the number who believe that the incidents indicate broader problems, is too large to ignore.

Nearly four out of 10 respondents said the incidents had made them less trusting. An equal number--39%--said they thought the allegations reveal broader systematic problems.

But, perhaps most disturbing of all, 39% of the respondents said they thought criminal conduct was common among San Diego police.

These results should sound a warning for Roache and Burgreen, other police chiefs and every law-enforcement officer. Law enforcement in a democratic society depends on a foundation of trust. And that foundation has been damaged or shaken by:

* Michael Stanewich, a sheriff’s deputy caught robbing and beating an Olivenhain homeowner and shot to death by a fellow deputy.

* Deputy Gilberto Balcazar, who pleaded guilty to sexual battery, while on duty.

* Attempted rape and robbery allegations against San Diego Police Officer Henry Hubbard Jr., the prime suspect in six other similar crimes.

* Rape charges against a sheriff’s deputy.

A majority of the 1,063 San Diegans polled believe that Roache and Burgreen need to make improvements in their departments.

They should listen.

Perhaps a task force of police and sheriff officials, training officers, patrol officers and representatives from civilian advisory boards needs to re-examine training and ongoing evaluation of officers.

Perhaps the idea of periodic psychological evaluations needs to be addressed.

If management and officers work together they may find ways to better assure that the overwhelming majority of police officers and sheriff’s deputies are not tainted by the few who cross the line.