I would like to comment on the ongoing saga of the Sean Bell issue, specifically the dynamics surrounding the crticisms that have been raised about the handling of the crime scene. Towards the tail end of my career, we had increasing incidents of uniformed bosses who came to the scene and thought they had years of investigative experience. Frankly, the less street experience they had, the more proficient at investigations they thought they were.

It seemed they totally forgot the policy on crime scene procedures which state “ . . . a UMOS (Uniformed Member of Service) will be assigned to guard the scene, make observations, not smoke, list those who entered ‘under the tape.’”

How many high ranking bosses backed off from despoiling your crime scene as soon as the officer on the scene said with pen in hand, “Sir, your name is? Shield Number?” etc. I was asked once at a COMSTAT meeting if my squad secured the crime scene, to which I responded, “No, Sir.”

After much posturing and puffery by this alleged police leader, I calmly, professionally, firmly and respectfully interjected, always mindful of the forum: “Let me clarify; my detectives investigated at the crime scene, I supervised the investigation, crime scene processed the crime scene, and our uniformed personnel as per procedure and as I am sure you are aware, secured the crime scene.”

That was the last time that ever came up. And yes, we cleared it. I had the same experience at times on the street. One time I told one particularly annoying captain that if he wanted to pull rank at the scene and do it his way, he, not I, would recap the investigative effort at the next COMSTAT meeting. He backed off in a New York City minute.

The bottom line – the sins of ignoring sound investigative and patrol techniques over the last few years in the media-driven haste to get answers for the brass is causing our detectives to look incompetent. If a district attorney asks a detective if he “secured the crime scene,” unless the Patrol Guide has changed, it should be challenged immediately.

And it is a damned shame that “the unknowing,” who supposedly were in command, are not called to the stand to answer these types of questions.