Charles Cherry Responds To Attorney Bill Hill's Defense of Racist Officer G.F. Pinson

8/3/2019 Charles Cherry Responds To Attorney Bill Hill's Defense of Racist Officer G.F. Pinson

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Re: Letter Received From Attorney Hill Regarding Greensboro Police OfficerG.F. Pinson

October 17, 2011Attorney at Law, Mr. William Hill500 W. Friendly Avenue, Suite 100Greensboro, North Carolina 27401

Dear Mr. Hill:I am in receipt of your letter dated October 13,2011, regarding Greensboro Police Officer G.F.Pinson. While this is a letter responding to your correspondence to me, I would like to make asuggestion to you. It may benefit you and GPO officers you represent, for you to focus onaddressing the fact that Chief of Police Ken Miller has taken the use of an attorney out of theGPO's disciplinary process, instead of sending me irrelevant personal letters. Also, tell Chief ofPolice Ken Miller to stop begging for assistance on GPD Net. He cannot lead the agency becauseof his own transgressions. Now that his anchor, Mr. Rashad Young is making his exodus, ChiefKen Miller may want to be looking for an alternative location, to claim to be a Chief.Before addressing your correspondence, I would like to relay some definitions to you. Thedefinitions, which will foundationally support my views, are as follows:

Wetback- defined as a person of any foreign nationality, the usual being a Mexican whoare illegal immigrants in the United States. Generally used as an ethnic slur, the term wasoriginally coined and applied only to Mexicans who entered Texas by crossing RioGrande river, which is the Mexican border, presumably by swimming or wading acrossand getting wet in the process. The first mention of the term in The New York Times isdated June 20, 1920. It was officially used by the U.S. government in 1954, withOperation Wetback, a project where a large number of Mexican nationals were deported.

Ethnic Slur- defined as a term, word, or words used to insult on the basis of race,ethnicity, or nationality. Epithet- defined as an adjective expressing a quality or attribute; name full of meaning. Racism- defined as belief in innate superiority of particular race, antagonism towardsmembers of different race based on this belief.

Mr. Hill, please understand that a police officer is a public servant, and must conduct himself orherself in a just, fair, professional, respectful manner, and with integrity. Exemplary conduct offduty is included, but especially on duty, in the workplace, inpublic or city facilities, and whilerepresenting our very diverse community. Remember, a police officer has the authority to takeyour freedom and even your life.Please allow me to enlighten you on a bit of GPO history. Sergeant James Hafkemeyer wascomplained on by Former Officer A.J. Blake for referring to Hispanic citizens as "wetbacks."Assistant Chief Dwight Crotts, informed Former Officer Blake that he was "hypersensitive."

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Sergeant Hafkemeyer received no discipline. Captain lE. Wolfe referred to Hispanic OfficerAJ. Blake as "a sorry sack of shi*." Captain Wolfe admitted to making the comment, butAssistant Chief Dwight Crotts took no disciplinary action. Officer G.F. Pinson referred to aHispanic Officer as a "wetback." Officer Pinson was sustained on the violation. Assistant ChiefDwight Crotts, according to your letter, took no disciplinary action. Chief of Police Ken Millercondoned Crotts not disciplining Officer Pinson.I will now refer to parts of your letter and respond appropriately. I will write excerpts from yourletter in italics and my responses will be in Times New Roman print. Excerpts from your letterand my responses are as follows:First, when interviewed the subject Officer informed PSD (Professional Standards Division) thatthe comment to which you referred in your "Complaint" occurred approximately two (2 ) yearsago. You were the Commanding Officer of both the subject Officer and Officer Pinson at thattime. A point notably absent from your complaint. The subject Officer reported to PSD that heand Pinson were in the locker room "playing around and picking on one another." Contrary toyour claim, the subject officer was not offended by the comment as this was locker room banterbetween two friends.The subject Officer was not offended by the comment. He further stated that if he had beenoffended, he would have reported it. Contrary to your claim, he did not withhold a complaint to"fit in. " In fact, no one complained and you, as Commanding Officer, did not either, given thattwo friends were joking with each other in a locker room. Officer Pinson relayed a similarrecitation of the events as did the subject Officer to PSD. Because this was a locker room,neither Officer intended for their mutual bantering to be heard by 3rd parties. Mr. Cherry'sResponse: First Mr. Hill, I was unaware of the "locker room banter," highlighted by OfficerPinson's racial epithets, until I received your letter. My complaint, according to mysources/witnesses, was about another incident. Had I known about Officer Pinson's racistepithets/views, while a Commander at the GPO, I would not have needed to report it, because Iwould have dealt with it. Whether the "subject Officer" was offended is irrelevant. Apparently,someone was offended, because the complaint was relayed to me. Officer Pinson was in thework place, using racist epithets, which have a particular meaning in the English language andhave a particular meaning for Officer Pinson. If an under aged teenager is a victim of statutoryrape, but not offended (views it as consensual), does that change the fact that a crime has beencommitted? Have PSD confirm with Officer Pinson if the locker room two (2) years ago was theonly time Officer Pinson referred to a Hispanic as a wetback (while at work). Inform OfficerPinson that I already know the answer to the question.Despite numerous contacts by Sergeant McHenry, you did not cooperate with the investigation.Perhaps most striking in Sergeant McHenry's investigation was that the subject Officer stated henever spoke to vou about this incident nor did he ever give you the authority to file a complaintfor him. As the subject Officer never spoke to you about this, your statement with respect to hisalleged reasoning for not reporting it, isfalse. Mr. Cherry's Response: Sergeant McHenry, asusual, is lying. Sergeant McHenry informed me that he would meet me at any place other thanthe Beloved Community Center (discriminatory). I suggested New Light Baptist Church, at

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which point 'Sergeant McHenry reluctantly agreed. Sergeant McHenry was overly concernedabout who would accompany me. I had to cancel our first meeting, and informed SergeantMcHenry. I called Sergeant McHenry at the beginning of the next week and left a message forhim. I then called him the next day after not hearing back from him. When I spoke with SergeantMcHenry, he informed me that he would not need to speak with me, and that he had completedthe investigation. I asked him if I would receive a letter informing me of the findings of mycomplaint. Sergeant McHenry stated I would receive the letter after Assistant Chief Crottsapproved his investigation. Mr. Hill, I informed the GPD that I had not spoken to the "subjectOfficer," in my complaint. Have you ever heard of a third party complaint? Let me give you anexample. An individual calls the police because she hears screams from her neighbor's home.The police arrive and find that it appears that a man and a woman have been fighting. Thewoman is bruised and has a bloody nose. Do the police need the woman to give them authority totake action? Apparently your law books are outdated. I, nor any other citizen needs any person'sauthority to file a complaint on their behalf. Because the victim officer doesn't ask someone tofile a complaint on their behalf, does not mean, that a person recognizing a violation, cannot filea complaint. The fact that the victim Officer is led to believe that he would have to give someonethe authority to file a complaint on his behalf speaks to the climate for victim officers within theGPD. Sergeant McHenry never spoke to the witnesses. Mr. Hill, apparently you have not beenmade aware that the GPD has a corrupted investigative mechanism. Sergeant McHenry neverspoke to me 01' the witnesses, because he wanted to and did frame the investigation in a certainmanner. Mr. Hill, tread lightly, because Sergeant McHenry, Officer Pinson nor you know whoall has witnessed Officer Pinson's usage of the term "wetback."In your complaint, you omitted the fact that you had no autllOritv to complain for the subjectOfficer, omitted the fact that you were the Commanding Officer at the time of the incident,misreported the timing oOlle alleged incident and the circumstances surrounding them. Despiteyour lack of veracity, Greensboro Police Department still investigated it . Mr. Cherry'sResponse: Mr. Hill, what law books are you reading that misinform you of the fact that I cancomplain for anyone I choose, to include this particular victim officer? Have PSD confirm withOfficer Pinson if the locker room two (2) years ago was the only time Officer Pinson referred toa Hispanic as a wetback (while at work). Inform Officer Pinson that I already know the answer tothe question. When I was the Commanding Officer, I did not know of any of the times OfficerPinson referred to Hispanics as wetbacks. If I had, there would be no need to complain, becauseI would have dealt with it. How is stating that the incident occurred several months agornisreporting the time? The question is, did the incident occur. Yes, it did, and from reading yourletter, apparently more than once. Have Sergeant McHenry interview witnesses to verify what Ialready know, regarding the number of times Officer Pinson has used the term.The counseling (or a Courtesy Violation against Officer Pinson was given to him for the solereason that a third party, should they have heard the comment and not realizing the relationshipbetween the subject Officer and Officer Pinson, "may" have been offended. Mr. Cherry'sResponse: GPD Directive 7.2.8 B. states, "It may be determined that while an employee'sactions resulted in an infraction of controlling regulations, the infraction is not severe enough torise to the level of a written reprimand or other disciplinary action. In such a case, an appropriatealternative to disciplinary action may be counseling or retraining} either of which should be

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directed toward improving employee performance through positive and constructive means." Mr.Hill, Officer Pinson, in the workplace, used racist epithets to describe Hispanics. There are threethings that cannot be tolerated from a police officer. Those things are being a liar, a criminal or aracist. Not only is Officer Pinson not terminated or disallowed to train officers, he is not evendisciplined! t Thanks for the information. I can't wait to alert the public of Chief Ken Miller'sfailure to have Officer Pinson disciplined, after Officer Pinson used racist epithets. Hopefully,you see the pattern woven by the likes of Captain J.E. Wolfe and Sergeant James Hafkemeyer,and condoned by Assistant Chief Dwight Crotts and Chief of Police Ken Miller. Mr. Hill,"wetback" is a racist epithet whether the person being called such is offended or not. Manytimes, victims will not relay their true feelings, for fear of retaliation and wanting to fit in withthe majority. Why do you think the victim Officer stated he only heard Officer Pinson use theterm wetback on only one occasion? Mr. Hill, verify what I already know. Mr. Hill, is the onlyissue with officers using racist epithets, the fact that someone overhearing the comment "may"have been offended? If the counseling was given solely because the racist epithet "may" haveoffended someone overhearing it, using the racist epithet itself (if not offending someone) mustbe acceptable behavior. Mr. Hill you are comedic.There is no evidence that Officer Pinson harbors any racial feelings, nor is engaged in anyracial conduct toward third-parties/citizens, and your reckless allegations made in public to theCity Council are wholly without merit. Officer Pinson has a stellar record, not only as a GPDOfficer, but as a Law Enforcement Officer in Florida. He, like other members of the GreensboroPolice Department, serve with honor and integrity. Your public comments that Officer Pinson isa "confirmed racist" [your words] are despicable. Any man with an ounce ofselfrespect wouldnot levy these false allegations against another. By doing so, you appear to be desperatelyattempting to make yourself relevant while ignoring your own lack of credibility. Mr. Cherry'sResponse: Mr. Hill, my assertions are supported by the following:

Officers filtered to me information that Officer G.F. Pinson referred to a Hispanic Officeras a "wetback."

"Wetback" is universally defined as a racist epithet/ethnic slur, which is a term, word, orwords used to insult on the basis ofrace, ethnicity, nationality or race.

Officer Pinson is a Greensboro Police Training Officer. A public servant, sworn toperform their duties without expressing any prejudice concerning race, religion, nationalorigin, sex, or other personal characteristics. Officer Pinson is authorized to take thefreedom or the life of any citizen, including a minority.

Officer Pinson was on duty, in a public place, representing the GPD and the communityand referred to a Hispanic person as a "wetback." A police officer has to have a strongconviction and comfort with the epithet, to utilize such a term in the workplace.

Officer Pinson claims it was locker room banter (playing) when he used the term. Themeaning of "wetback" does not change, regardless of whether the racist claims to beplaying, or if the victim claims they are not offended.

Mr. Hill, your letter suggests that Officer Pinson utilized the racist epithet on more thanone occasion. Sergeant McHenry did not interview witnesses that can confirm this.Sergeant McHenry can easily confirm by asking Officer Pinson if he referred to aHispanic as a "wetback" on more than one occasion while working at the GPO. I know

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the answer to the question. I wonder if Officer Pinson is a racist and a liar. If OfficerPinson used the racist epithet more that once (which is actually irrelevant, because onceis evidence), why would Officer Pinson not admit it during the initial investigation?

The GPD's own investigation concluded that Officer Pinson admitted to using the racistepithet, and sustained the allegation, as a violation of their policies. This confirms that theGPD knows that "wetback" is a racist epithet.

Officer Pinson was sustained on a violation of GPD Directive 1.5.2 Courtesy. Mr. Hill,go read the directive and enlighten yourself. There is a history of derogatory racist language/descriptions being used at the GPD, andcondoned by administrators, suggesting a learned behavior for Officer Pinson. Officer

Pinson received no discipline for using the racist epithet. Only racist people use racist epithets to describe minorities, in the workplace. The usageof the racist epithet is the evidence. Mr. Hill, as difficult as it must be, view the usage of the racist epithet from the

perspective of the minority, not the majority. The preceding bulleted points resulted in me referring to and believing Officer G.F.

Pinson to be a confirmed racist.Mr. Hill, to my knowledge, there are many Hispanics in Florida, although I am not sure whyOfficer Pinson relocated to the City of Greensboro. I do believe myself to be relevant andcredible. However, you are entitled to your opinion.You sir, are without credibility or honor. You were justifiably terminated from the GreensboroPolice Department upon the recommendation by a board offive of your peers. We would requestthat you leave this fine Officer alone. If you continue on this course of action, we will determinewhat is an appropriate action on Officer Pinson's behalf. With kind regards, I remain, very trulyyours, William L. Hill. Mr. Cherry's Response: Mr. Hill, actually, I have credibility an honor. Itis because of my credibility and honor, for which I was terminated from the GPD. In time,should I want to return to the GPD there is no doubt that I will be able to. Also, I wasunjustifiably terminated by Assistant Chief Dwight Crotts. The same Assistant Chief DwightCrotts that conspired with Assistant Chief Anita Holder and City Psychologist Michael J. Cuttler(their profit making former or current business associate), to force me into a bogus psychologicalassessment. The same Assistant Chief Crotts that you can hear three hundred sixty five days ayear, seven days a week on YouTube, violating my personnel privacy, while corruptively settingup administrative investigations, to terminate employees. You know, the same Assistant ChiefCrotts that authorized the corruptive polygraphs of Officers Reyes, Royal and Pinson, that youexposed!! I could go on regarding Assistant Chief Crotts, but you already know.

Mr. Hill, I am not bothering Officer Pinson, I am exposing a racist, corruptive element within theGPD, of which Officer Pinson is a part. I am not sure what you plan on doing, but whatever youcan do to bring more public awareness to the racist corruptive element within the GPD, thebetter. I was thinking of developing an "Officer Pinson" watch, where community membersobserve him on calls and report any misbehavior, especially against minorities. Maybe giving allattorneys in Greensboro a copy of the complaint and findings letter, regarding Officer Pinson'suse of racist epithets, so that they can prepare for Officer Pinson on court days, will be a good

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Sincerely,') .b,~~{/y-~

idea. Officer Pinson, as I remember, writes an awful lot of tickets. Let me know, so that wedon't duplicate our efforts. Mr. Hill, everything I have stated at City Council meetings isarchived and can be retrieved off the city website, and possibly YouTube. Mr. Hill, what Isuggest you do is go read the U.S. Constitution, and don't waste your time, credibility, honor,self-respect and relevance (you know, those things you say I am without), defending wrong. Letme know if you have further, and the lessons you learned throughout reading thiscorrespondence, are free of charge.

Attachments:Attachment #1: Letter From Attorney William (Bill) Hill regarding GPD Officer G.F. Pinson

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Charles Cherry Responds To Attorney Bill Hill's Defense of Racist Officer G.F. Pinson

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