SERPAS RESPONDS

On June 27, I had the pleasure of meeting with four representatives
from the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP), a group that promotes and
sustains the equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
persons. After reading the June 23 Scene ("Policing Gays"), TEP
members questioned whether the Metro Police Department was
indiscriminately targeting gay men in sting operations involving chat rooms.

Using facts about the investigation that the Scene chose to omit, I
assured the group that was not the case. I write this not to defend
the police department's investigations or actions, but rather to
present a complete picture.

Internet chat room investigations of the type the Scene described
have been conducted on five of the approximately 200 workdays since
Sept. 1, 2004. The investigation began after a citizen reported to
the Hermitage precinct that offers of illegal drugs in chat rooms
were very common and had gone undetected by law enforcement. That
individual and others worked with our undercover officers during the
investigation to correspond with potential suspects and explain chat
room terminology that is not readily understood by "non-chatters."

As a result of those five days of investigation over the past 10
months, it is abundantly clear that illegal drugs were not only being
offered, but were brought along by men who expected to meet a
cooperating informant for a sexual encounter.

Of the 16 persons charged as a result of this investigation thus far,
10 showed up with crystal methamphetamine, which, as we all know, has
become one of the most feared illegal substances in the history of our country.

In another of the cases, the person showed up with cocaine, yet
another showed up with marijuana and one individual was carrying both
methamphetamine and marijuana. From those cases alone, the police
department has seized 14 grams of crystal methamphetamine, two grams
of cocaine and 10 grams of marijuana. The informant was clearly
correct regarding the true offers of illegal drugs in chat rooms with
which he was familiar.

This police department, every day, follows up on criminal information
brought to our attention.

Our actions in this investigation are no different.

The sexual orientation of Nashvillians is of no concern to the Police
Department. Engaging in criminal activity, however, is and will be
responded to appropriately.

The defendant who spoke to the Scene showed up to meet with the
confidential informant carrying amyl nitrite.

He had represented the substance as being illegally obtained.

Our officers had not encountered amyl nitrite previously in this
sting operation and, in good faith, charged the defendant with
delivering a counterfeit substance and resisting arrest.

District Attorney Torry Johnson is now researching Tennessee law to
determine whether the charge is appropriate. As for the resisting
arrest charge, the defendant, in his statements to the Scene, admits
that he attempted to flee and did not comply with officer commands.
While it is true that the officers were not in full uniform, they
were wearing vests with clear police markings.

In fact, in an interview with a police supervisor, the defendant
acknowledged that he saw one of the officer's vest and badge.

Also, during the same 10-month time frame, Hermitage precinct
undercover officers made 431 arrests related to drug and prostitution offenses.

Again, only 16 of those were from the chat room investigation.

As I discussed with the members of TEP in our cordial, 90-minute
meeting, we are targeting violations of the law, not individuals'
sexual orientation, race or religious beliefs.

This police department values all citizens and looks forward to
building on our relationships of respect and trust.

Police Chief Ronal W. Serpas

(Nashville)