We just learned this week that– OVER 2 YEARS AGO– Phil Mendelson all but ignored warnings from DC’s police union that MPD was understating rape and sexual assault cases to make their crime statistics look better for MPD’s top brass. Now that’s pretty much what Human Rights Watch just reported last month.
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(for reference, Google: “YouTube DC Police Fail Rape Victims” –and–
“Cops union: Mendelson ignored sex assaults allegations”)
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Once again, Mendelson put on a dog and pony show to shield Lanier’s MPD from any serious investigation of sex crimes coverups. Sounds kinda familiar to Mendelson’s feckless handling of anti-LGBT hate crimes coverups by MPD… for years, eh?

Watch the videos, then read the HRW Report, “DC Police Mishandle Sexual Assault Cases”.

Heck, if you’re pressed for time, just sample and skim the Blade’s reports re. hate crimes over the past year…

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/01/04/d-c-murders-down-anti-lgbt-hate-crimes-up/

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/07/07/police-chief-defends-fight-against-anti-lgbt-hate-crimes/

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/03/14/3-hospitalized-after-spate-of-anti-lgbt-violence/

Why shouldn’t Council reprimand the previous Chairman of the Public Safety/ Judiciary Committee (for 8 years) for failing to help so many women victims of rape and sex assaults — as well as LGBT victims of hate crimes?

What do you want to bet that if Mendelson had conducted a full-fledged investigation of both rape/sex assault -AND- hate crimes coverups by MPD to improve their crime stats –TWO YEARS AGO, as was his J.O.B.– the suffering and MPD abuse of women like those in HRW’s video (and likely, some LGBT hate crimes victims, too) would have been avoided, or at least reduced?

The very FIRST responsibility of any mayor and council is to protect their citizens from violent crimes and to maintain public safety. All other functions of local government depend on that most basic of governing requisites. Civilized countries have understood that for thousands of years. How come Phil Mendelson does not?

Now, apparently, Phil Mendelson has joined in Chief Lanier’s PR campaign to blame-the-messengers, bashing HRW and the police union who warned Mendelson of MPD’s abuses so long ago. What does that tell us?

Blaming messengers– and all but those responsible, including violent crime victims, is becoming a familiar story from Lanier’s MPD. At least Jim Graham wasn’t afraid to ask tough questions of Chief Lanier about the rise in anti-LGBT hate crimes and her attempts to dismantle GLLU’s core unit.

If Council wants to rush to reprimand Jim Graham before his case is adjudicated, it ought to also immediately reprimand Phil Mendelson for turning a blind eye to allegations of police malfeasance, abuse of victims, and potential criminal violations of crime victims’ civil rights under color of authority.

Please, no more hypocrisies while the blood, sweat and tears of women and LGBTs continue to stain the streets of Washington.