Prior to the council meeting I sat down with Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter and Chief of Police Ralph Dawe to discuss lingering concerns related to steroid abuse involving Scottsboro Police Officers. The following is a synopsis of that conversation.
I expressed my concern that the officer steroid scandal still looms as the question has not been answered concerning illegal steroid usage versus over the counter usage.
Paraphrased comments from Mayor Potter and Chief Dawe: The Officers involved work out with weights and apparently were taking diet supplements which contained steroids. Bad judgement is not the same as illegal use of prescription steroids. Any steroid usage is against department policy. As a result the violators of department policy were dealt with administratively. Chief Dawe assured me if he could prove the officers involved had violated any State or Federal Law, as difficult as it may have been, they would have been arrested.
Chief Dawe went on to say, "this incident has damaged citizen trust and that trust must be earned." He assured me, and assures all, that the Scottsboro Police Department will do their best to insure citizen trust is earned and the Scottsboro Police Department will maintain high professional standards.
Mayor Potter stated, "those involved will undergo enhanced drug screening for steroid usage. The officers involved are also receiving professional counseling."
I expressed concern to the Mayor that I thought he should inform the public of these additional facts as they are important and relevant to this situation and the public has a right to know all the facts concerning this case. The Mayor did not did not address the additional revelations at tonight's city council meeting.
I informed the Mayor and Chief Dawe that I would provide a synopsis of our meeting to the public.
Chief Dawe stated to me if anyone had any questions concerning this incident they could contact him at the Police Department and he would discuss any concerns with them.
Last Daily Sentinel article with discussion about the issue. http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_221c8c2a-148c-11e1-a808-001cc4c03286.html?cbst=42
City Council Agenda, click on agenda for an expanded view.
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