Viviana Smith/Fourth Estate

A need for a community-run oversight committee over Mason PD

BY JOSEPH PINELLI, OPINION SUBMISSION

The public discussion surrounding police abuse and police use of force is often countered with the argument that a few “bad apples” in departments are the root causes of instances of brutality. However, what happens when the ‘bad apples’ are in the highest seats of power in a department? 

As a Mason student, I think it’s important to know how our university police operate. After all, they are here for our protection, right?

I dove into our current department’s history, and found a pattern of corruption and disregard for the community that Mason PD is supposed to serve. These patterns stem from a history of dysfunction in the department and Chief Carl Rowan Jr.

Before Rowan became police chief, the department operated under a community policing approach to strengthen ties with the community and officers. 

Since Rowan took office, there has been a shift toward a seemingly more urban approach with black and white squad cars, an established K-9 unit, a drone unit and a Special Weapons and Tactics unit (SWAT). There is also an Alpine Bull-Dog armored SWAT truck displayed at the police station by the Rappahannock River Parking Deck.

Additionally, Mason has a Police Advisory Board, which, in theory, is supposed to help the community and police work together and guide Mason PD to work for the community. The problem is that the board has no power over the department whatsoever.

The Police Advisory Board allegedly does not get access to bodycam footage, fund allocation or the police budget. As such, it is simply a rubber stamp for Mason’s administration, pretending that Mason is working with students regarding how their community is policed.

In January 2019, bodycam footage showed Mason Police Officer John O’Hare choking an unarmed, intoxicated and handcuffed concertgoer in the back of a police cruiser. The concertgoer had previously cussed out the officers and, due to this, O’Hare grabbed the man by his hair and pulled him to the cruiser. 

After which, he grabbed the man by the neck as the young man strained out the words, “this is assault right here.” 

After seeing this footage and comparing it to the police report, which alleged the concertgoer was kicking, screaming and biting officers, Deputy Police Chief Philip Surber and Police Lieutenant David Ganely made a plea to Chief Rowan Jr., asking for Virginia State Police to investigate the incident. 

Rowan denied the plea, stating that he believed that the officer’s response was reasonable. According to a lawsuit filed by the pair, Rowan launched an investigation, not of the conduct of the officers at the scene, but rather of Surber and Ganely’s conduct, and promptly disciplined the two officers, demoting Surber and stripping Ganely’s access to body camera footage. 

Additionally, O’Hare was promoted to lieutenant and now leads the K-9 unit. The lawsuit that Surber and Ganely have filed alleges corruption and names Rowan Jr. and other senior department heads as defendants in this civil corruption lawsuit.

This is not the only lawsuit that alleges corruption at GMU PD nor that specifically implicates Rowan Jr. directly. In addition, Morrison v. George Mason University, a similar corruption lawsuit, alleges a “pattern and practice of police corruption at GMU.” 

Morrison is currently suspended from the department and a Fairfax Circuit judge has ruled that he is not eligible for federal whistleblower protections due to the university’s status as an employer. This extends to any Mason employee. 

The problem of corrupt cops is a “root and branch” infiltration on our campus. Until we address this issue, we will never have a safe and healthy campus. As a start, Mason Police Chief Carl Rowan Jr. should resign. I also suggest a total restructuring of Mason PD and the advisory board. Finally, we need a community-run oversight committee with the authority to review body camera footage, access to review fund allocation and to conduct yearly reports on police conduct. Only then will we have a department that is free from corruption.