Pubdate: Thu, 07 Jul 2005 Source: Nashville Scene (TN) Copyright: 2005 Nashville Scene. Contact: http://www.nashscene.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2409 Author: Police Chief Ronal W. Serpas SERPAS RESPONDS On June 27, I had the pleasure of meeting with four representatives from the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP), a group that promotes and sustains the equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. After reading the June 23 Scene ("Policing Gays"), TEP members questioned whether the Metro Police Department was indiscriminately targeting gay men in sting operations involving chat rooms. Using facts about the investigation that the Scene chose to omit, I assured the group that was not the case. I write this not to defend the police department's investigations or actions, but rather to present a complete picture. Internet chat room investigations of the type the Scene described have been conducted on five of the approximately 200 workdays since Sept. 1, 2004. The investigation began after a citizen reported to the Hermitage precinct that offers of illegal drugs in chat rooms were very common and had gone undetected by law enforcement. That individual and others worked with our undercover officers during the investigation to correspond with potential suspects and explain chat room terminology that is not readily understood by "non-chatters." As a result of those five days of investigation over the past 10 months, it is abundantly clear that illegal drugs were not only being offered, but were brought along by men who expected to meet a cooperating informant for a sexual encounter. Of the 16 persons charged as a result of this investigation thus far, 10 showed up with crystal methamphetamine, which, as we all know, has become one of the most feared illegal substances in the history of our country. In another of the cases, the person showed up with cocaine, yet another showed up with marijuana and one individual was carrying both methamphetamine and marijuana. From those cases alone, the police department has seized 14 grams of crystal methamphetamine, two grams of cocaine and 10 grams of marijuana. The informant was clearly correct regarding the true offers of illegal drugs in chat rooms with which he was familiar. This police department, every day, follows up on criminal information brought to our attention. Our actions in this investigation are no different. The sexual orientation of Nashvillians is of no concern to the Police Department. Engaging in criminal activity, however, is and will be responded to appropriately. The defendant who spoke to the Scene showed up to meet with the confidential informant carrying amyl nitrite. He had represented the substance as being illegally obtained. Our officers had not encountered amyl nitrite previously in this sting operation and, in good faith, charged the defendant with delivering a counterfeit substance and resisting arrest. District Attorney Torry Johnson is now researching Tennessee law to determine whether the charge is appropriate. As for the resisting arrest charge, the defendant, in his statements to the Scene, admits that he attempted to flee and did not comply with officer commands. While it is true that the officers were not in full uniform, they were wearing vests with clear police markings. In fact, in an interview with a police supervisor, the defendant acknowledged that he saw one of the officer's vest and badge. Also, during the same 10-month time frame, Hermitage precinct undercover officers made 431 arrests related to drug and prostitution offenses. Again, only 16 of those were from the chat room investigation. As I discussed with the members of TEP in our cordial, 90-minute meeting, we are targeting violations of the law, not individuals' sexual orientation, race or religious beliefs. This police department values all citizens and looks forward to building on our relationships of respect and trust. Police Chief Ronal W. Serpas (Nashville) - --- MAP posted-by: Beth