An Open Letter to Westfield Police Chief Parizeau

Dear Chief Parizeau,

     In a Memo you sent to all supervisors under your command, dated October 25, 2007, you stated the following, “For those that may not know, one of the reasons that the hand scanner put in place was because a small number of personnel were stealing time.   They were entering full shifts in the sign-in book but not working those hours.  And not one of those Officers was a Patrolman.  Since I had just started as Chief, I opted not to charge those personnel even though I had been provided with more than sufficient evidence to do so.  I wanted to start with a "clean slate" and move on.  With that said, it becomes apparent that I make clear what is expected of Lieutenants and Sergeants.  From what I have been told and see, some of our Patrol Officers act more professionally than some of our Superior Officers do.  Consider this the last warning on this behavior.” 

     Chief Parizeau, if you don't recall the Memo, I have the link here you can click on to review the memo in it's entirety. Its http://07090.blogspot.com/2010/12/westfield-police-chief-john-m-parizeau.html

     Chief Parizeau, you have testified yourself, under oath, that if an officer is proven to have lied under oath, that officer’s credibility could be questioned in the future at any court proceeding with regards to the officer’s sworn testimony in the matters of motor vehicle offenses, criminal arrests, etc.  Therefore, that officer should no longer be an police officer and you would recommend termination.

     Chief Parizeau, correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t your Memo sent to all supervisors state that you had evidence of personnel stealing time?  What would your sworn testimony be, if you were asked about the credibility of one of your supervisors that you had evidence of stealing time?

     When a house alarm goes off and Westfield police officers respond to the residence on a call for service, they on occasion, will encounter on open door.  Most likely the resident had left, forgot to close the door properly, and it blew open on a windy day.  Proper protocol or standard operating procedure would be for the responding officers to check the residence for any signs of a burglary.  The kitchen, living room, dining room, and bedrooms are always checked as is the basement, attic and bathrooms.  A thorough search is conducted..  The master bedroom is always a concern and checked because that’s where most people have there jewelry and personal belongings of value.

     Chief Parizeau, should Westfield residents expect that their personal belongings are safe from the clutches of the supervisory personnel you had evidence of stealing time?

     If my house alarm goes off, and I am not home,  please instruct the thief employed as a police officer to stay out of my home. 

     In fact, Chief Parizeau, would you please stay out of my home as well, in the case of  my house alarm being triggered while I am not home.  Your ethical standards are questionable.

     Chief Parizeau, stolen time equates to stolen money once the police personnel that stole the time cashes their paycheck.

     As a taxpayer residing in the town of Westfield, I would like to know if restitution has been made by the personnel that were stealing time.  If not, why not? 
     Chief Parizeau, am I and my fellow taxpayers expected to sit quietly as “the victims” of this thievery? I want my money back.  Those are my tax $$$$ your police thief stole.

     Chief Parizeau, if restitution has not been made, then please start the process of obtaining it.

     As a taxpayer residing in the town of Westfield, I would like to know if the thieves, the personnel that were caught stealing time, have been terminated?

     If they have not been terminated, why not? 

     Chief Parizeau, did you contact the Union County Prosecutor’s Office as mandated by the New Jersey Attorney General’s policies and procedures regarding Internal Affairs Investigations mandating that the County Prosecutor be notified immediately once you had evidence of the police personnel “stealing time?”  If you did not, why not?

     Mayor Skibitsky has stated he has spoken with you and that you assured him that you followed the New Jersey Attorney General’s Internal Affairs Policy.  Did you?

     If you did not, why not?    
     Chief Parizeau, haven't you been caught in lies before?  The Mayor might believe you, I certainly don't.
     Chief Parizeau, do you think The Mayor wears "rose-colored glasses" when he meets with you?      

     Chief Parizeau, have you submitted your resignation to the Town of Westfield’s Administrator James Gildea?  If not, why not?

     May I request that you do so immediately.  The law abiding men and women of the Westfield Police Department deserve a police chief with the honesty and integrity needed to carry on the mission of the department.

Sincerely,

The Westfield Taxpayer