Dear Editor:
As a voting-eligible Augusta resident I would like to see more oversight measures taken at the law enforcement level. I’m not quite sure if the current Augusta-Richmond County Board of Commissioners possesses the power to establish an oversight committee but, with all due respect, such a committee will undoubtedly cut to the core of roughshod practices that discredit an otherwise sensible theory.
Theoretically, America’s criminal justice system is founded on impartiality and fairness for all parties involved in any court proceeding, be it criminal or civil. Historically, however, the practice of ensuring “Equal Justice For All” has been a complete disaster in dire need of a full overhaul. And as I watch the gong show play out in Washington, I can’t help but think, “Oh, how good it would be if an Augusta-Richmond resident who has an evidentially strong case of legal wrongdoing by members of local law enforcement could call on the Augusta-Richmond County BOC to subpoena every official accused of such wrongdoing, bring down the barrage of thorough questioning in an effort to expose the malfeasance, and subsequently take appropriate action.
Beyond question, the politically-spoken, and written, subtext in this town has been unequivocally stated and understood: “That’s not how things work around these parts of town. Nor should you expect changes anytime soon.” Okay. No problem. But there is a pitch coming down the pike: taking exception to the creation of a committee to hold badges accountable not just for unethical conduct within the department or office, but for the intentional and willful, malicious actions some of them frequently perpetrate against some of the most vulnerable citizens of Augusta, many of whom happen to be taxpayers and voting-eligible – irrespective of whether or not they choose to exercise their constitutional right – in the long run will only cause this beautiful city more harm.
With that I rest.
Lawrence Anthony Brannen, Augusta, Ga.
