The one virtue that the citizens deserve in city management and the district attorney's office is integrity in their business dealings on behalf of these citizens. Unfortunately, that virtue has been tested in the Kandie Smith trespassing charge. It appears that officials in city management and the DA's office have failed this integrity test miserably.

From the inappropriate communication between the city manager and the City Council member on the “facts” in the officer's arrest report to the 39-hour lag before the report was filed, this case has been one of collusion and coverup by city officials on the entire issue of police policies and procedures. The SBI investigation apparently took a left turn somewhere and concluded on an “excessive force” issue that was never an issue. The police chief, supported by the DA, stated that the report concluded that there was no “excessive force.” Yet the DA would not release the SBI report “because there was a crime investigation in process.” Since the council member was found not guilty, I asked for a copy of the SBI report. David Holec, city attorney, responded, in typical cover-up jargon, that the SBI report is now buried in the arresting officer's personnel file and is considered confidential by the city and not available to the public. Unbelievable.

There is something very rotten in Greenville government when a publicly generated report that supposedly clears a public official of wrongdoing is conveniently buried from public view. Holec, City Manager Wayne Bowers and Chief William Anderson should all be held accountable for this coverup. They are making a mockery of the state's sunshine laws. However, don't expect our weak mayor to do the right thing and release the SBI report. Public service integrity does not exist in Greenville government officials as evidenced by this fiasco.

For the complete article, please pick up a copy of The Daily Reflector or purchase today’s electronic edition at http://www.reflector.com/circ-store. Current home delivery and electronic edition subscribers may log in to access this article at no charge. To become a subscriber, please click here or contact Customer Service at (252) 329-9505.