Treppiedi did his job well

Has Spokane found its proverbial scapegoat for the Otto Zehm scandal? Rocky Treppiedi: “I am not talking to The Spokesman-Review.”

The public should know why: He and the Police Department have been vilified by The Review since the 1986 so-called “Gypsy case,” where a property crimes task force recovered a large amount of stolen property and cash. The city and 24 officers were sued for $50 million. Citizens identified and recovered their property. After a mixed Circuit Court of Appeals decision, Rocky was able to settle that case for essentially attorney fees. That case was handled with full transparency.

As investigative division commander during the 1980s, it was clear that the department needed access to legal advice. The nature of police work and the potential for liability was becoming job-prohibitive. Shortly thereafter, Rocky became the full-time adviser to the department.

The department is tasked to do more with less. Property crimes are out of control. Risk management is the rule of the day. Rocky was a gut fighter, and did what city management wanted him to do. Good luck in replacing him.

Tom Keefe (April 17), the Gypsy curse will not go away until top management takes responsibility.

Bob Allen

retired police captain

Chattaroy