To the Editor:
I applaud your editorial on the Geer murder (“No Justification for Secrecy, Delay on Geer Shooting,” Connection, February 4-10, 2015). The Connection has done yeoman’s work in keeping this tragedy in front of the public, unlike other newspapers which are johnnie-come-latelies.
Our chairman and county Board of Supervisors have failed in their duty to oversee the Fairfax County Poice Department, except Pat Herrity who seems to have spoken out against this scandal early. The “blanket approach” to deny FOIA requests you mention is simply a policy. Policies are guidelines for what should normally be done; they are not a legal requirement and can be changed with a stroke of the pen by the FCPD either on its own or at the direction of the Board of Supervisors.
I hope you will call for the resignation of the chief of FCPD; oppose re-election of the chairman and Board of Supervisors, less Herrity; oppose re-election of our Commonwealth’s Attorney; and payment of the $12M to Geer’s estate. The chief has condoned a cover-up and our elected officials have failed in their duties. The $12M should come from the budget of the FCPD and our Commonwealth’s Attorney, and foreclose raising the pay of the chairman and Board of Supervisors based on their inexcusable handling of this affair.
Mike Shumaker
Fairfax