The APD statement describing Eden as having a “very good sense, very good understanding and a hand in” the reforms is absolutely true when viewed in the context that Eden and his command staff are really NOT at all committed to implementing the DOJ reforms. Community groups are dismayed and frustrated over Eden’s failure to attend meetings, ignore findings and disciplinary recommendations, and failure to attend settlement hearings and they say Eden allows the City Attorney to explain APD’s reform efforts.
Chief Eden and his command staff are lying when they say they are committed to the DOJ mandated reforms and proof of the lie is contained in Third and the Fourth progress reports submitted by Federal Monitor James Ginger to the Federal Court.
The November 1, 2016 fourth report states that when “excessive use of force” incidents are investigated by the APD Critical Incident Team , it“[deploys] carefully worded excuses, apparently designed not to find fault with officer actions” and “[uses] language and terminology apparently designed to absolve officers and supervisors of their responsibility to follow certain CASA (Court Approved Settlement Agreement) related provisions.
Chief Eden and the entire chain of command of APD need to be removed and replaced with a new generation of leadership committed to the reform process before any real progress will be made with the DOJ agreed to and mandated reforms.