[PLEASE SEE THE EDITOR'S NOTE, POSTED JAN. 22, 2008, AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE]
One of two Red Bank men sworn in last week as probationary police officers has already been dropped from the training program, a department official confirmed to redbankgreen this afternoon.
Without offering any specifics, Capt. Steve McCarthy confirmed that Milton A. Gray IV “is not going to be attending the academy” because “he didn’t meet the minimum requirements for a probationary officer at this time.”
Because the matter involves confidential personnel files, McCarthy said he would not be able to comment further.
The sudden reversal is sure to be an embarrassment both for the department and the Borough Council, whose members welcomed Gray into the borough “family” with fanfare last Monday night, citing his actual family’s deep heritage in the town’s fabric.
It also undercuts the borough’s plans to bring on new officers at a time when crime is perceived by many residents to be on the rise, despite assertions by officials that statistics demonstrate otherwise.
The four-month police academy class in which Gray was to have enrolled starts tomorrow in Freehold, leaving Red Bank without enough time to field a replacement. The next class, which calls for both classroom and physical training, starts in the late summer.
Gray and fellow probie Nicholas Malleto were expected to graduate together in June.
redbankgreen’s inquiry regarding Gray was prompted by a comment posted on the site yesterday by a reader who claimed that Gray had failed a psychological examination. McCarthy declined to confirm the accuracy of that claim.
EDITOR’S NOTE
In the above article redbankgreen reported on a possible explanation for the removal of Milton A. Gray IV as a Red Bank-sponsored member of the current class at the Monmouth County Police Academy.
That explanation was pure speculation and gossip. Including it in our story was bad judgment, shoddy journalism. Most important, it was unfair to Gray.
In particular, the last paragraph of the article relied on information included in a post by a commenter who identified him or herself as “Bisco.” The comment was available on redbankgreen briefly on Sunday before we saw it and took it down as a borderline violation of our new comments policy.
But because the author appeared to be writing from a position of inside knowledge, we asked him or her via email to include his real name if he wanted to have it reconsidered. Our policy gives greater weight to comments posted by people willing to identify themselves.
We didn’t hear back from “Bisco.”
On Monday, we contacted the police department to ask about Gray’s status. The department, through an official, confirmed that Gray was out of the program, but declined to say why.
Shortly thereafter, but before our story was ready for publication, the original comment was reposted, this time under the name “Salina Witten.” We again took the comment off the site, temporarily at least, while we tried to determine if Salina Witten was “Bisco’s” real name.
We never found out. Still, we went ahead and posted our story, citing the Bisco’s claim about Gray’s removal.
Why did we do that? Because we thought it necessary to explain why Gray’s status had even come into question.
No one has asked for or demanded a retraction, but today, someone posted an angry comment about our story. We have taken that complaint to heart, and on reflection, we acknowledge that we violated our own journalistic principals in relying on unverified information from an unknown source.
We still don’t know why Gray was removed. Still, we apologize to him and to all our readers.
What in the hell is going on? It is a disgrace that the Police Chief or the Police Commissioner has not informed me, A MEMBER OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL, as to the status of Mr. Grey or any other borough employee. Contrary to those who critize and if this is true, Red Bank Green does play a critical role in communication with the public. It is the responsibility of any department manager to be absolutely positive in candidate qualifications before submitting such putting a family, the public, the mayor and council through this embarrassment. I was informed by a resident tonight in Foodtown and yes I was speechless. There are many questions to be answered and responsibility must be taken. The borough owes Mr Grey and his family a sincere apology. John P. Curley Councilman
This news is too bad only in that Milt's swearing was a huge, proud moment for his family and long time supporters like myself.
Yes, it seems like the process needs be revisited and no doubt the public session should occur "only" after successful completion of the 4 month class (after he/she offically graduates from the academy).
Milt IV - stay positive, this is just a bump
in the road. Chin up, keep moving forward and your time to serve your fellow RB citizens will become a reality in no time.
Councilman Curley,
Strange that your first concern is that you weren't informed rather than the fate of Mr. Gray.
Hey Boris- Why don't you knock off your political rhetoric. I expressed my concern for Mr. Grey and stated that the borough owes him an apology. As a councilman, it is necessary to be informed with regard to any crises and it is a councilpersons responsibility to correct any shortcoming of failure in the system. You Mckennacrats feel that full disclosure in government is not necessary however I believe disclosure, transparency, is mandatory. At least I stand by my comments by signing my name! Go ahead and keep running this town into fiscal and moral bankrupcy. I would have far more respect for you if you stood behind your comments and signed your NAME. JOHN P. CURLEY COUNCILMAN
Chapman,
Cheap shot–very cheap! Everyone who knows Councilman Curley knows that his priorities, concerns and values are in the correct order. Interesting to know your name is "Boris" even though your signature reads "Chapman".
Our dear Chapman [Boris] is very transparent: divert attention from the real issues by attacking an issue which is emotionally charged. Whatever anyone feels for the young man and his family, they are NOT the primary issue for Red Bank: a disfunctional police department and borough council IS. Apparently, from Mr. Culey's remarks, Old Chapman is more part of the problem than the solution. Typical.
You know Boris, you really are more of the same problem. You cannot see the trees for the democratic machine that you so blindly follow. There is no harm attached to Curleys comments, rather a note of concern for the young man and his family and a concern FOR THE CITIZENS OF RED BANK. As a council member he damn well should be alerted to something like this. I can see it now, next council meeting, Dupont mocking Curley for not knowing.
Forget party politics for a while and concentrate on my town. Murphy should have damn well known, and shared this information with the council members so they would not be blind sided (I wonder if the other four were informed), Its stuff like this that makes me sick This strikes me of Red Bank leaning further and further into a mini Hudson county.
Just out of curiosity, this Boris, is he the same who handles the trees in Red Bank?
Gary,
There is a Boris Kofman who serves on both the Red Bank Environmental Commission and the Red Bank Shade Tree Committee.
SHAME ON YOU MR.WARD FOR PUTTING THIS ON YOUR SITE. YOU HAVE FINALLY REACHED A NEW LOW. HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO THIS WONDERFUL PERSON. THIS SITE IS NOTHING BUT TRASH AND YOUR THE LEADER OF IT. THINK BEFORE YOU POST, IT COULD BE YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER SOME DAY..YOU REALLY DON'T CARE ABOUT PEOPLE'S FEELINGS, DO YOU MR. WARD?????
Once again, John Curley decides the issue is one for which he must make public comment for personnal political benefit instead of meeting with the Police Chief or other council members to discuss this issue in an appropriate setting. Such action invites comments from the uninformed that are harmful to others without benefit of the facts.
Maybe you should all stop attacking each other and think about the embarrasment this has caused Milton's family!! You're all a bunch of bickering children!!
No name,
Since you have posted what you did you can class yourself among the "bickerers". You might also give up the habit of making erroneous assumptions–such as that no one thinks about the family.
Ahhh, the misplaced anger of the Red Bank reader. Mr. Ward didn't cause the potential for embarrassment to the subject of this story. Mr. Curley didn't cause the problems either. The mayor and his police department advisers, by rushing to make a public issue of the swearing in of two Red Bank residents as officers, an issue they played to the political hilt, are at fault. Thanks "embarrassed"and "watchwhatyousay" for showing us how far sycophants will go to protect their anointed.
Once again, John Curley decides the issue is one for which he must make public comment for personnal political benefit instead of meeting with the Police Chief or other council members —–
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Embarrassed, get a grip. Read the story. Councilman Curley did not report the story, he only responded to it. As for talking to the commissioner, Police Chief or other members of the council, once again, read the story. No notified him other than a citizen he saw him in a food store. This is not something that he feels good about, anyone who knows this young man knows him to a good person, and as David Prown pointed out, merely a bump in the road towards his goal of public service. Keep your chin up young man.
Once again non readers of the world unite to form a bond against all reasoning and to lay blame where it does not belong. Chumpman being the poster again??
I hope the monies will still be available for the next class sessions
Must have failed the drug test. What a dope if true.