Posted on 09/15/2005 4:36:50 AM PDT by billorites
A Massachusetts state police instructor is under investigation for allegedly forcing recruits' heads into dirty toilets in a hazing ritual that was kept under wraps until a female major complained to top brass, sources said.
``The instructor put his boot on the backs of their heads,'' said one source. ``People complained, but their complaints were never taken seriously.''
Lt. Sharon Costine, a state police spokeswoman, confirmed yesterday that the internal probe is underway but declined to elaborate.
``We will conduct a full and thorough investigation and take whatever action is deemed warranted,'' Costine said in a written statement.
The alleged hazing took place at the state police academy in New Braintree, where 174 aspiring troopers have been training since late June. A number of recruits already have dropped out of the grueling 25-week program, one trooper said. The remaining trainees are due to graduate in December.
Academy rules prohibit officers from using ``unprofessional language or behavior.''
But one veteran trooper said because of the state police's paramilitary structure, hazing complaints are not unusual.
``A kick in the ass, a head in the john. It's nothing new,'' he said. ``Anything they did to you at the academy, you kept your mouth shut. That's how bad you wanted to get on the job.''
The recruits spend Monday through Friday at the 780-acre academy campus, where they are up at 5:30 a.m. for physical training and then spend the day in classes ranging from ``defensive tactics'' to ``stress awareness'' to ``weapons of mass destruction.'' Classes end at 8 p.m, with ``lights out'' at 9:30 p.m.
In 1995, a state appeals court judge ruled the state's anti-hazing law did not apply to the academy, after one recruit filed a lawsuit claiming she was denied water and medication during a serious bout with pneumonia while training at the academy.
``I went through absolute torture,'' Carol Perkins, 47, of Sterling said yesterday. ``It gets barbaric in there.''
Perkins, a single mother of two small boys, said she did not appeal the decision because the litigation grew too expensive, but she feared if she stayed in the punishing program, she would end up dead.
``I was so scared. It was like, `What am I in for?' '' she said. ``I often wonder what would have happened, but I feared what happened in Agawam and how far that kid was pushed.''
Cadet Timothy Shepard, 25, died in November 1988, six weeks after collapsing from heat stroke during training at a state police training academy in Agawam.
Fifteen other cadets in the same class suffered severe kidney ailments, and state police banned punitive exercise during training. After a lengthy probe, then Attorney General James M. Shannon declined to file criminal charges against instructors at Agawam, though he labeled the episode ``state government at its worst.''
Police instructor is still bullying people like he did in junior high?
Why is it important that it was a female major who complained?
Its called a swirlee. Geez. If cadets can't deal with a little hazing, how will last one day on the streets.
Instructors...Brainless bullies with a bad attitude. If they run short, the military has many to spare.
And let's not forget my personal favorite, "Lying Under Oath."
Where?
That's to lend gravitas to the story. That or just a sly reference to the feminization of the police force in the Bloated One's state.
Check any military training facility.
It's just training. How else are they going to learn how to abuse drunk-driving insurance salesmen?
Sounds like sour grapes. Failed boot camp did ya?
Check the other thread running here re cops..
I call it disgusting. How is hazing like that going to make someone a better police officer?
I spent 8 years in the Army as an Air Defense Artillery officer. I never felt the need to abuse my soldiers to make them "tougher".
The physical part was expected in the military..The money shakedowns were a tad too much. We were shaken down every week. It was nicknamed "pay or pay". One way or the other you paid.
[shrug] I've had it done to me. Its no big deal. I don't approve of it but, like placing panties on Al Queda heads, it doesn't rise to the level of abuse.
Next time I get pulled over by a State Cop ("Statie") I think I'll be tempted to tell him he has some toilet paper hanging from the back of his Smokey the Bear hat - AFTER I get the ticket, of course.
Judged by the number of insurance claims, Taxachussets has the lousiest drivers in the nation. Judged by the court system's decisions, it also has the goofiest judiciary. If you want to do law enforcement there, you had better get used to the feel of your head in a toilet while the water swirls around your ears.
Funny, I did 21 years on active duty and was never shaken down for cash. Sure you weren't in the Mexican Army maybe?
Agreed. It weeds out the weaklings and the crybabies. The very ones you DON'T want watching your back.
Lifer huh???...Bet you liked the chow too?
I sure did. Liked the deployments, the sacrifices, the proud warriors I served with, the lifestyle, my MOS, and the training. Got a problem with that?
BTW, are you on the right blog? Maybe DU is more your speed. They like denigrating the military there.
"Agreed. It weeds out the weaklings and the crybabies. The very ones you DON'T want watching your back."
Ah, I see I've found another who served in a Victor Unit. Bravo Zulu to ya.
Sure....leaving those cadets who would passively accept having their heads stuck in a toilet, those who would not stand up for themselves. Just waiting to pass on the abuse to powerless citizens. Good thinking there.
That was WW2 and Korea. Long time ago.
And to you! haha. Yeah, I was a heavy junker and served with arty and grunts. Get hard or die. But you know, those were DAMN GOOD DAYS and the Corps was truly a brotherhood and still is. One of my buds is a professor at University of Wisconsin...he truly IS the teacher that the students HOPE they don't get! haha.
"Just waiting to pass on the abuse to powerless citizens. Good thinking there."
Thats so true. I was swirleed in college and as a result, have been abusing my fellow humans ever since.
Probably failed day camp as well.
I used to drink with a former commandant of the SP Academy. Craziest bastard I ever met.
I come from a long line of military people, dating back to Bunker Hill. Was I an unmilitary person??? Yes sir I was.
Did I volunteer, do my job, risk my neck, you bet I did. Did I like military chow???? Ha..
I intentionally looked to see how soon the first post would be that defended this. As I expected, I didn't have to look very far at all.
Air Farce, panty waist outfit. MOS 29353
Have a buddy who spent 8 years in the AF. Said it was pretty chicken sh*t. Thanks for serving.
"I intentionally looked to see how soon the first post would be that defended this. As I expected, I didn't have to look very far at all."
LOL. I'm being flamed by people opposed to hazing. What were the odds?
GFY
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