Editor`s Note: News of law enforcement in Cedar Key results in accession of articles by many Cedar Key News readers. The following interview with Police Chief Dan Swogger was conducted January 13, 2004. CKN: How long have you been Police Chief in Cedar Key? Chief Swogger: Two years. CKN: Have you been here long enough to identify the primary infractions that law enforcement must deal with? Chief Swogger: Traffic, domestic disputes and some drug use. CKN: Are there any operational problems that are particularly Cedar Key problems? Chief Swogger: Nothing specific to Cedar Key. A lot of small towns are like Cedar Key. CKN: There have been a number of driving under the influence arrests during the past year. What has been the typical outcome in court? Chief Swogger: The vast majority plead guilty. Video evidence makes it clear that if they can`t stand erect (a guilty plea is best). They shouldn`t be behind the wheel. CKN: Felony arrests by definition are the most serious arrests. How have these turned out when brought to court? Chief Swogger: It varies with the severity (of the crime) and the past history (of the individual charged). CKN: Traffic citations-- about how many were issued during 2003? And how many warnings? Chief Swogger: Close to 350 or 400 citations. Probably double that number of warnings were given. CKN: Of drug arrests over the past year, how many were juveniles? Chief Swogger: We have had seventeen drug arrests. Six of them were juveniles. Editor`s Note: Regular readers of Cedar Key News may be surprised that Cedar Key News has not reported any juvenile drug arrests. That is because in Cedar Key any report of any juvenile arrest, even without name or age given, could inadvertently disclose the child`s identity. Therefore, Cedar Key News errs on the side of protecting the child rather than the public`s right-to-know. CKN: How do you respond to citizen complaints against police officers? Chief Swogger: State statues say if the complaint is on paper it is a formal complaint. CKN: How many formal complaints have you had in the past twelve months, and what has been the outcome? Chief Swogger: The only signed formal complaint resulted in the dismissal of the officer. CKN: Without going into individual cases, what brings about dismissal? Chief Swogger: Severe violation of policy or statutes. I want to make it clear that I defend my officers, but if the evidence is clear, they will be disciplined according to the severity of the violation. | 