Smear Attempt On Former Janesville Cop

Tweet

Earlier this year, James Martin, a police officer with the Janesville Department was involved in a traffic accident while off-duty and did not report it for 22 hours. After an investigation by the department, officials eventually accused the officer of drunken driving and lying to investigators. In poor judgment, this officer made a series of bad moves with investigators in what appears to be a cover-up in an obvious attempt to protect his job. He lost. Soon afterward in April, the officer was fired bringing an abrupt end to a promising career as a Janesville police officer. End of story? Not quite.

It turns out that the former police officer, fired and disgraced by the Janesville department for the traffic incident, had 18 years of law enforcement experience including specialized training. In his quest to earn a living, James Martin applied with the Milton Police Department and was selected from a pool of 100 applicants. Finally, end of story? No - not yet!

Now in walks the Janesville Gazette. The compassionate newspaper prints a frontpage story titled,”Fired cop lands in Milton” and reminds the local readers of all the sordid details that led to Martin’s dismissal.

JG excerpt:
Martin was also accused……..accused of lying…….showing “contempt”………..accused Martin of drunken driving……….not fully cooperating………..showing disregard…….. etc.

Why would the Gazette print a story like this? To what end does it serve?

I’m not defending James Martin in his involvement with the accident or his attitude that followed. Of course law officers and public officials should be held to a higher standard. I don’t know what other fines or punishment were carried out in court if any after he lost his job, but I have to assume he paid his price and justice was served.

Apparently though that’s not good enough for the Gazette, so they throw a reporter on it to make sure the Milton Police Commission knows what kind of a hire they have in Martin.

JG excerpt:
”It was an easy call,” said Stephen Tupper, chairman of the commission. He continued, “We felt he was a very good candidate.” We’re glad to have him. He brings a lot to the table, including experience to train young officers.” As for Martin, he simply wants to put the past behind him.

One could only guess at the questions asked by the Gazette reporter to inspire those answers. Instead of letting the fallen man start over and carry on with his life, the Gazette gives Martin their style of justice, one more time.

Good luck, James Martin. I wish you the best in your new job!