There's a lot to be said for perseverance.
On October 12, 2012 I filed a FOIL request with the City of Rochester, NY for the name of he Rochester, NY Police officer caught on video kicking her K-9 partner.
After more than a month of being bounced around and given a run-around from City officials, my FOIL request was denied.
At this point, most people would have simply given up.
I'm not most people.
While Rochester, NY Police and City officials pulled out their stall-tactics and intentionally prolonged my request, only to deny it, in hopes that his would all just go away, I was committed to continue the fight, and expose them every step of the way.
In fact, just a few days ago, when I called the City to inquire on the status of my request, like I had done several times over the past several weeks, I was informed by the Records Access Supervisor, Ms. Sylvia Rossello, I was prepared.
One thing I learned the hard way when it comes to dealing with police and City officials, is ALWAYS record the conversation. (Of course, be sure to check your State's laws when it comes to recording conversations.)
So, when I was informed that my request had been denied, I was told that Rochester, City Attorney Jeffrey Eichner was the person to talk to.
So, I recorded the entire conversation with Eichner, who pretty much stumbled throughout, at one pont even acting as if he had misunderstood my FOIL request, which was very straightforward -- the name of the RPD officer who kicked her partner.
Then I posted the conversation on youtube.
You see, one thing about me is, I will expose misconduct, corruption, cover-ups, whatever it may be, to the world, so that everyone can see for themselves.
Then I posted the conversation on youtube.
You see, one thing about me is, I will expose misconduct, corruption, cover-ups, whatever it may be, to the world, so that everyone can see for themselves.
I then called Gary Walker, the City of Rochester, NY Communications director, whom City Attorney Jeff Eichner had indicated, had made the decision to deny my request.
After a little phone tag, where to Mr. Walker's credit, he called me an hour after Rochester City Hall had officially closed, I was finally able to speak to Mr. Walker, who I must say was very professional and courteous.
I told Mr. Walker that I realized we each had our roles to play, his, as Jeffrey Eichner's is to protect the City.
Mine is to expose police misconduct, corruption, cover-ups and demand transparency and accountability.
Which, if you think about it, is all this was about from the beginning.
Transparency and accountability.
Gary Walker has known me for many years.
He knew my Dad's relentless passion as an activist and he knows mine.
Long before he began working for the City of Rochester, Walker worked for WXXI television, Rochester's PBS outlet, where he executive produced and hosted a weekly community television program called 'Need to Know.'
Gary Walker is a smart man.
Like he said to me in our phone conversation, wrong is wrong and right is right.
And I believe he realized that the City of Rochester and the Rochester Police department were just making things worse, by prolonging, and ultimately denying my FOIL request.
Which is why Walker decided to release the RPD officer's name who was caught on video mistreating her partner.
Rochester, NY Police officer Nina Nowack, a 16-year member of the RPD, who works out of the Rochester Police department's Special Operations Division located at 261 Child Street.
In releasing RPD officer Nina Nowack's name, Gary Walker not only avoided the City a foil lawsuit I was ready to bring against them, but he also put an end to the barrage of bad publicity the City of Rochester had been receiving due to their lack of transparency by refusing to release officer Nina Nowack's name.
Click the link to read my original story of RPD officer Nina Nowack
http://davyv.blogspot.com/2012/10/rochester-ny-police-officer-caught-on_6565.html
Click Play to watch video of Rochester, NY Police officer Nina Nowack kicking her K-9 partner
Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara
If you believe in my work, exposing police misconduct and corruption, and covering issues mainstream media chooses to ignore, please support my work by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top right of my blog and entering your donation.
All donations are secure and are through PayPal.
If you don't have a PayPal account, after you enter the amount you wish to donate, look for "Don't have a Paypal account?" on bottom left side and click "continue."
Thank you.
After a little phone tag, where to Mr. Walker's credit, he called me an hour after Rochester City Hall had officially closed, I was finally able to speak to Mr. Walker, who I must say was very professional and courteous.
I told Mr. Walker that I realized we each had our roles to play, his, as Jeffrey Eichner's is to protect the City.
Mine is to expose police misconduct, corruption, cover-ups and demand transparency and accountability.
Which, if you think about it, is all this was about from the beginning.
Transparency and accountability.
Gary Walker has known me for many years.
He knew my Dad's relentless passion as an activist and he knows mine.
Long before he began working for the City of Rochester, Walker worked for WXXI television, Rochester's PBS outlet, where he executive produced and hosted a weekly community television program called 'Need to Know.'
Gary Walker is a smart man.
Like he said to me in our phone conversation, wrong is wrong and right is right.
And I believe he realized that the City of Rochester and the Rochester Police department were just making things worse, by prolonging, and ultimately denying my FOIL request.
Which is why Walker decided to release the RPD officer's name who was caught on video mistreating her partner.
Rochester, NY Police officer Nina Nowack, a 16-year member of the RPD, who works out of the Rochester Police department's Special Operations Division located at 261 Child Street.
In releasing RPD officer Nina Nowack's name, Gary Walker not only avoided the City a foil lawsuit I was ready to bring against them, but he also put an end to the barrage of bad publicity the City of Rochester had been receiving due to their lack of transparency by refusing to release officer Nina Nowack's name.
Click the link to read my original story of RPD officer Nina Nowack
http://davyv.blogspot.com/2012/10/rochester-ny-police-officer-caught-on_6565.html
Click Play to watch video of Rochester, NY Police officer Nina Nowack kicking her K-9 partner
Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara
If you believe in my work, exposing police misconduct and corruption, and covering issues mainstream media chooses to ignore, please support my work by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top right of my blog and entering your donation.
All donations are secure and are through PayPal.
If you don't have a PayPal account, after you enter the amount you wish to donate, look for "Don't have a Paypal account?" on bottom left side and click "continue."
Thank you.
