In the past we here at Freedom Of Speech have selected 10 outstanding men and 10 outstanding women of the City of New Albany. So with lots of consideration we decided to select the one person with the most COURAGE and who deserves the proper title of "Person Of the Year for 2015."
Her name is Officer Laura Schook.
In our opinion: It's very hard to go up against a corrupt city let alone a corrupt Police Department. We're not saying every officer in the NAPD is corrupt. There are some "very good" police officers.
Officer Schook jointed the NAPD in 1995.
In 2010 Officer Schook followed Police procedures and contacted her Supervisor and former Chief Sherry Knight on her concerns and nothing was ever done. Then the retaliation started.
In April of 2014 Officer Schook had the "courage" and guts to stand up and Blow the Whistle on our New Albany Police Department, Chief Knight, her Supervisor and two fellow Police Officers, Humphrey's and Tucker.
It was refreshing to see someone watching the backs of us taxpayers. Ghost Employment cost us taxpayers hundreds and thousands of dollars each year.
Courage:
Laura stood in front of the Police Merit Commission Board twice after trying several times to bring her issues before the proper Supervisor and Chief. Following Indiana State laws and New Albany Police Department procedures by the book.
Her complaints was "Harassment, discrimination, corruption and ghost employment."
Courage is:
When Officer Schook went public Mayor Gahan and NAPD quickly began their "cover up mode."
Former Chief Sherry Knight later reported "we investigated our selves" and found NO wrong doing.
May 20, 2014 both Chief Knight and Asst. Chief Greg Pennell quickly resigned. Reason "to spend more time with family!" What a crock of Bull Shit.
All politicians or political issues use this as an excuse when they get caught!
Part of her termination was a violation of department policy of talking to the media. She was advised by her attorney. It is also documented on Facebook that Chief Knight commented on several of Humphrey's posting. So did Chief Knight violate her own policies? Absolutely!
The entire purpose of the Merit Commission Board is to prevent political corruption and to protect the rights of employees. They sure didn't protect Officer Schook's rights.
Freedom Of Speech would like to present to you Officer Laura Schook's history:
* Nov. 18, 2003 - Officer Schook on being called to a robbery scene was attacked and stabbed with an 8 inch knife to the neck.
* March 13, 2009 - Officer Schook received an award from former Mayor Doug England for her work in recovering thousands of dollars worth of metal that was stolen from the YMCA.
* Nov. 22, 2010 - Officer Schook WON the Frank Denzinger Scholarship.
* April 16, 2015 - The EEOC deemed her case of Harassment, Discrimination, Corruption and Ghost Employment grounds for a Civil Suit against the City Of New Albany and former Chief Sherry Knight.
In 2014- 2015 Indiana University Southeast, Officer Schook was recognized of High Scholastic and made the Chancellor's List with a 4.0 grade point average for fall of 2014 and Spring of 2015.
Does this sound like a twenty year veteran officer who is lying?
Our final thoughts:
The definition of courage: mental or moral strength to venture, preserve, and withstand danger, fear or difficulty.
Officer Laura Schook was fired for exposing the corruption the city powers do not want you the taxpayers to know about. Laura is NOT the only officer that has been retaliated. There are several other "lawsuits pending."
We would also like to remind you that in 2011 Capt. Paul Haub falsified 169 case reports. He received 2 days suspension.
New Albany Taxpayers expect and deserve honest government. Oh wait that would be moral courage, not much of that in the Gahan Administration nor the past and present Police Chief's. Most of the Police Officer's we talked with, stated Officer Schook was telling the truth, and the Mayor and the current Police Chief refused to let them testify on her behalf.
Congratulation to Officer Laura Schook and Officer Josh Pearman on their recent marriage, we wish them a full and happy life together.
We the taxpayer need more police officers like Officer Schook's in our department...
All we're asking for is "Justice for Laura Schook!"
