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Accusations of misconduct. Suspicion within the ranks. An internal review of racial allegations.

Much has happened during the past 10 days as Greensboro police Chief David Wray disputed claims that blacks are unfairly targeted by a small unit dubbed the "secret police" by his patrol ranks.

While there's nothing "secret" about the unit's existence, its roles and responsibilities have some officers looking over their shoulders. Here's a review of everything to date:

What is this "secret police?"

It's a nickname the rank and file use to describe the city police department's Special Intelligence Section.

Who are they?

Special Intelligence is made up of five officers: a sergeant, a corporal and three detectives who answer to Deputy Chief Randall Brady.

One other person works for the unit. He's known as a "hire-back" because he retired from the department but is used on a contract basis.

What do they do?

Lots. Two detectives monitor gang activity, and the division keeps tabs on hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan.

Special Intelligence investigates all threats made against city leaders. It also serves as a department liaison to the Jewish and Muslim communities, Wray said Wednesday.

And, yes, Special Intelligence conducts surveillance on officers accused of illegal activity. It was the retired detective who set off a chain of events leading to charges of unfair treatment toward black officers.

What chain of events?

Lt. James Hinson was on his way to meet an off-duty corporal June 3 when he observed a van trailing his police cruiser.

Recognizing the driver as the retired detective, the lieutenant pulled over in a nearby parking lot. A search of his cruiser turned up a tracking device known in the profession as a "bird-dog."

Though Hinson's lawyer has not offered specifics, he alleges that Special Intelligence unfairly targets black officers. Hinson was suspended with pay Friday afternoon.

Why was he being tailed?

Hinson said his supervisors told him he was under investigation because of accusations that he was conducting personal business while on the clock.

Do other officers have complaints about the Special Intelligence Section?

Yes. And it has to do with the way officers can be investigated.

Department procedures, or "directives," clearly state any officer accused of misconduct should be referred to Internal Affairs. When evidence indicates illegal activity, Internal Affairs will ask criminal detectives to launch a second (but different) investigation.

Special Intelligence also investigates officers who have been accused of wrongdoing. Wray said it is the Special Intelligence division that decides whether complaints go to Internal Affairs or criminal detectives.

But as some officers have noted, Special Intelligence is the only division within the department with no lieutenant or captain between the unit and the chief's office.

Black and white patrol officers have said the unit lacks checks and balances, and that this causes them angst.

So what's the difference?

Two things can happen when a complaint is filed against an officer: there is an administrative review ( Did someone break department rules?) and possibly a criminal review ( Did someone break the law?).

Officers must answer questions for administrative investigations but have the same rights as any citizen when accused of illegal activity - rights such as the Fifth Amendment, which allows people to stay silent instead of making self-incriminating remarks.

Internal Affairs can't share its information with criminal investigators because of this distinction.

Some officers claim that's why Wray moved Special Intelligence out from the same chain of command as Internal Affairs.

It's possible for Special Intelligence and Internal Affairs to be investigating the same officer without either division recognizing the concurrent effort.

Possible ... but not likely, says Wray's spokesman.

Questions then arise as to the rights officers have and where the information from an investigation should be directed.

Do police departments elsewhere do the same thing?

Yes and no.

Other departments contacted in the days after Hinson's allegations all said their Internal Affairs divisions will refer illegal activity to criminal detectives.

Also out of the ordinary, at least in Hinson's case, is the alleged misconduct for which he was under investigation: conducting personal business during working hours would violate an administrative rule.

Departments elsewhere said officers being investigated on allegations of violating policy would be informed of the review. Hinson's lawyer said he wasn't told of the investigation.

But because a suspension is administrative, it's possible Hinson was suspended this week with pay for not answering Internal Affairs' questions.

He couldn't be reached for comment Friday.

What's next?

Wray promised to bring in an outside agency to assess the procedures and processes used by Special Intelligence - i.e., are its methods in compliance with nationally accepted law enforcement practices?

Details of that review are still being worked out.

As for Hinson, the internal investigation is continuing.

Contact Eric J.S. Townsend at 373-7008 or etownsend@news-record.com