Published: June 21, 2009 07:52 pm      

Galligan apologizes for police conduct

Mayor says investigation into Wilder photos underway

JEFFERSONVILLE — Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan on Sunday apologized to Larry Wilder’s family for pictures taken of the city council’s attorney passed out in a trash can Wednesday morning.

Galligan said it is still under investigation who took and distributed the photographs, but Jeffersonville Police Chief Tim Deeringer confirmed they were taken by a camera issued by the police department.

“When someone becomes a police officer in the city of Jeffersonville, they take an oath to protect and serve the people of this city,” Galligan said at a press conference on Sunday afternoon. “Earlier this week, one or two officers ignored that oath and allowed their personal or political motivations to interfere with their work.”

Wilder said in an interview with The Evening News on Friday that he wanted the police officer who took the photos to apologize to his children. The apology, instead, came from the mayor.

“I apologize personally — and as mayor — to the children and family of Larry Wilder for the pain that you have endured at the hands of one or two errant officers,” Galligan said.

Galligan said he called the press conference because several citizens approached him with concerns that a similar situation could happen to them if police officers wanted to embarrass them.

He said police officers should treat everyone with “dignity and professionalism” and called the unknown officer who took the photos a “renegade.”

Galligan would not comment whether the police officer(s) involved would be disciplined. When asked if this was a matter for the police merit board to handle, he said, “it’s going to be a matter for the mayor.” However, he did have ominous words for the officer(s) involved.

“We are going to take appropriate action to ensure that no police officer will be comfortable abusing their authority again,” Galligan said.

Galligan said it may be three or four officers involved but that it is more likely one or two. Four officers responded to the call, according to police records.

Deeringer said the incident is still under investigation and that he does not know who will make the decision about what, if any, discipline the officer or officers could face.

Galligan said he has not talked to Wilder about the situation.

Wilder told The Evening News on Friday that he did not think the officer(s) responsible for taking the photos should be disciplined and would defend the officer(s) if need be.

The mayor would not comment on Wilder’s behavior other than to say that it “concerns” him and he does not like it but that the point of the press conference was to discuss the actions of the officers — not Wilder. When asked if Wilder is a public figure, Galligan said, “You could say that. Everybody’s a public figure.”

City Council President Connie Sellers, who attended the press conference, said the actions of a couple of police officers reflects poorly on the department. She would not comment on whether Wilder could be removed as the council’s attorney, saying it would be discussed by the council as a whole in executive session on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

Sellers said she believes the story would not have gained so much attention if not for the leaked photographs.

“I think it’s a bigger story with the pictures,” she said. “I think the pictures are what make the story.”