news-record.com

GREENSBORO - In the wake of controversy about a unit dubbed the "secret police," a nationally renowned consultant has suggested that police change the way they investigate officers accused of criminal misconduct.

The consultant's nonbinding report, which cost the city $8,000, also recommends a stronger role for Internal Affairs investigators.

The suggestions are part of a 13-page report by Gil Kleinknecht, a Missouri-based consultant with three decades of experience in the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and two police departments in his home state.

Kleinknecht interviewed 16 people in July, including police Chief David Wray , interim city manager Mitchell Johnson and members of the Special Intelligence and Internal Affairs sections.

"The Greensboro Police Department, in the areas reviewed during this evaluation, is performing at a high standard," Kleinknecht wrote in the report. "It would be a misrepresentation to conclude that these recommendations suggest the department is not performing at a satisfactory level."

It also states that the department doesn't allow internal investigators to ensnare officers accused of criminal or unethical conduct, "nor is there a plan to consider such."

His report was obtained late Wednesday by the News & Record.

Neither Kleinknecht nor Chief David Wray could be reached for comment.

Wray had said before the report's release that he planned to reserve comment until he could share the findings with Johnson, who is out of town until next week.

Accusations of racial profiling within the ranks surfaced in June when a high-profile African American lieutenant discovered a tracking device on his city car minutes after spotting a retired detective trailing him near Friendly Center.

Lt. James Hinson was told he was under surveillance by the Special Intelligence Section for conducting personal business on city time.

Hinson's attorney alleged a week later in the News & Record that black officers were the targets of the unit , which some rank-and-file officers call the "secret police" because of its activities.

Among other roles, Special Intelligence monitors hate groups, investigates gang activity and serves as protection for City Council and visiting dignitaries.

Wray defended the unit as allegations surfaced, saying one of its duties is to examine misconduct charges before internal affairs or criminal detectives get involved.

Wednesday's report suggests the police department do otherwise - allow internal affairs to handle the matter, giving officers access to their own personnel files.

"This is the way it should be, and the way it was prior to the evolution of the Special Intelligence Unit and its focus on internal affairs," Joe Williams, Hinson's attorney, said Wednesday night. "The problem with the process that evolved is that it denies officers their constitutional rights."

Kleinknecht's report focused exclusively on whether the roles and responsibilities of Special Intelligence were in line with national standards. He did not explore accusations of racial profiling by the unit.

Wray cleared Special Intelligence of any wrongdoing during a June 17 press conference, where he also disclosed that Hinson was a subject in a multi-agency criminal probe.

"I find no evidence that this unit is targeting any individual or group of individuals without justifiable reasons that can be easily explained and clearly articulated," Wray said.

Hinson was suspended with pay in June, but no reason has been given because state law prohibits the release of personnel records.

Guilford County District Attorney Stuart Albright said this week that no charges are pending against the lieutenant .

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