FINAL DISRESPECT: SLED Chief Needs to Provide Answers or Resign
Man Jody Barr is killing it lately on the government corruption beat. Jody is a Carolina native and former WISTV reporter. When he was a reporter in Columbia a few years ago, I will admit that I was not a fan. I thought he was ham-handed and desperate to force a story when maybe there was no “there” there. I believe he was young and eager, but that’s not the point.
When he left out to be a reporter elsewhere, I still followed him on Twitter. I found that I was more and more interested in his work. Well, he’s is home now (sort of). He is currently doing investigative reporting for “The Queen City News” out of Charlotte, and boy, he has found his swing.
Before jumping into my comments spurred on by Jody’s latest reporting, let me first say — excellent work, Jody. My remarks above, deserved or not, have been erased by good, old-fashioned hard work and a commitment to holding the powerful to account. We need more of this, and I applaud you. I am sure you know you are a target now, it truly comes with the territory of speaking out against law enforcement. It sucks. I am also sure many people would have your back — myself included.
If you want to see his big series on the fucking madhouse in Marlboro County, South Carolina, check it out. You will need time because it is a lot, and it is crazy, and every official in that county was corrupt. Here is a link to the series: “Final Disrespects” playlist and related articles. It will make you burn with anger.
For a quick taste of the cast of characters, I made a signature “Crazy Pills” checklist for those who aren’t sure if this is real life or if you accidentally ate crazy pills.
After reading the follow-up piece and video here, it is clear that SLED is guilty of gross misconduct or corruption. They have acted poorly, criminally and without trust or honor in this investigation and the tangential investigation of the Marlboro County Sheriff. There is no way to avoid it.They never would have ousted the Sheriff if it was not for Jody’s reporting and the bravery of a Sheriff’s deputy for coming forward.
Of, yea, SLED tried to come after the whistleblower and seemingly started to build a case against the deputy. No good deed goes unpunished. If not for the news outlet making this is priority that guy might be in jail for protecting the citizens.
If you did not know — SLED really only has one job — investigating corruption in office or of law enforcement. That does not seem to be going well. Let’s recap recent major investigations where SLED agents are or could be investigated for corruption:
1. Hampton County Murdaugh Murders
2. Mallory Beach Death investigation
3. Marlboro County Sheriff
4. Marlboro County Probate thievery
There are more but let’s stick to the most credible so I do not get a knock on my door. There is no way to slice it. It is the most pathetic thing I have ever seen. And this is the crown jewel of SC Law Enforcement.
In other words, this isn’t your ordinary corrupt police in speed trap South Carolina.
It used to be that SLED was a shining beacon, an example of law enforcement at its finest. They were an organization this state could be proud of. Now a cancer that is destroying modern law enforcement has reached the top. They, too, do not care about openly displaying the blue line cover-up. They do not care that we can see. This is not the first glaring problem of late, but this is so egregious that the Chief should be hauled before the Senate and made to answer for what looks like more cover-up for local officials.
If he has no answer then he needs to be investigated. Leaders should never be a graduate of the Patches O’Houlihan School for Dodgeball. Even if that leader has failed- honor alone should compel that leader to make sure his final actions restore faith in the system
Folks, SLED’s main job is to investigate local corruption. If they are this corrupt — what role do they serve?
It is beyond me why we do not care more about having armed government agents, whose job is to take away your freedom, running rampant and untrained through our communities. Check the headlines once a day, A DAY, and see uniformed thugs kill, lie, assault, and rob people of their liberty for nothing.
LAPD has 15 different cop gangs within the department!
They do not know the law; they don’t care. They get 6 months of training, and during that time, they are trained to see every citizen as a threat. There is no extensive study of the law. After that, they never have to look at a law book again.
They are never held to account for their actions. There is always another cop ready to lie for them or a delusional citizen who says stuff like:
“they aren’t all bad.”
Why aren’t they standing up discussing reform?
“It’s only a few bad apples.
Um the rest of that statement is — SPOILS THE BUNCH. Why aren’t you calling calling out the bad cops?
“They have a thankless job protecting you.”
Nah dog. That’s the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines standing a post down range. If something happens to me here, I have to protect my own. Maybe a cop will show up later.
Besides, they chose this job. Save the hero worship.
Realistic reform proposals are pretty straightforward and the plan I wrote was beneficial to the police. They would do well to adopt it. The current genius plan amongst the hive mind is to pretend there is no problem, let it go away, or retaliate against any citizen who dares hold them accountable.
And now it’s reached the crown jewel of SC Law Enforcement. Cancer is a bitch, but it’s obvious that citizens lack the will do anything about it. Just wait until you or someone in your family has to experience it.
