Friday, June 10, 2016

We're the Only Ones Sorry Enough

Chicago police say they are sorry for destroying a daughter’s last message to her parents, which had been kept as evidence in the woman’s death investigation. [More]
"Administrative error." So much for the TV meme about the cop who cares too much and gets too involved.

Who initiated and signed off on the destruction? Did anyone? Got a signature?

Was policy followed? If not, is a gross violation really just considered an "error"?

I'm actually surprised there's not more of a records retention requirement than this, and that the boxes aren't kept in a long-term controlled custody storage facility for 20 years or so as a matter of cold case policy, especially when it involves a homicide.  For God's sake, they keep frickin' traffic crash reports for eight years...

What happens if new evidence comes to light and it turns out there's some physical property in the original document that was never examined or considered relevant?

[Via Mack H]

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