WP: Capitol Hill Premium Cigars and Tobacco
The Post reports on the cigar bar and the officer who owns it.
posted by inked at 9:23 AM
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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15 Comments:
Am I the only person that sees a serious potential conflict of interest with a police officer investing in an establishment in the community that serves alcohol?
Doesn't this potentially put him or her in the position of responding to a call at their own establishment?
Couldn't this cloud their professional judgment when enforcing the law?
Now before anyone accuses me of being anti-MPD or anti-entrepreneur, I think there are ways that this could be done legitimately. For example, the fact that it is publically known that the officer in the article has a business interest in the cigar bar helps provide transparency for the community. I also think there should be a prohibition on performing police work in and around an area where you have a business interest. The opportunity for a conflict is just too great.
What really concerns me is what I don't know. How many MPD officers are "silent partners" in local businesses with whom they interact?
As a taxpayer, I want their loyalty to me...not their own financial interests. Afterall, these are public officials.
Jul 16, 2008, 9:37:00 AM
From the end of the article:
""Officers' off-duty jobs can be "a tricky situation," said Assistant Chief Peter Newsham, head of the department's Office of Professional Responsibility.
On the positive side, officers who run businesses are literally taking ownership of the areas they serve. But the department runs the risk of perceptions of preferential treatment and uneven policing, he said.
As long as the business is not in the officer's specific patrol area -- Wright and Jackson fit this -- "we probably won't have a problem," Newsham said. "If it is, I think that it's a little bit too close."
Still, he added, "it's nice to know you have police officers investing in the community. More power to them.""
Also mentions that he supervises officers, so maybe he doesn't patrol. Regardless, I dig this and am all for more officers being in Trinidad, even if it's at a cigar shop down the street!
Jul 16, 2008, 9:47:00 AM
TO: ethics concerns -- Many officers own homes in the same districts they patrol or have family members who run businesses in the same area. it's virtually impossible to eliminate every potential conflict of interest. He has a right to run a business on the side, including one that (gasp!) serves alcohol. it's a free country brother. You are proposing very remote hypotheticals. Don't rain on the parade. I've been to the cigar bar and it appears to be well run and well kept. Great article and more positive exposure for our hood.
Jul 16, 2008, 2:00:00 PM
I've had some buddies go check that place out and despite the unfortunate quote in the article about it being "african-amercian-centric" (ugh...why even say that?), they certainly seemed appreciative of our business and the Acid cigars were awesome.
Jul 16, 2008, 2:34:00 PM
Ro,
You said, "He has a right to run a business on the side, including one that (gasp!) serves alcohol. it's a free country brother."
My point is that as public figures, police officers should be held to a higher standard than the rest of the community. That contributes to the trust and confidence that is required for them to be effective at their jobs.
If there is even an appearance that their financial interests might prevent them from faithfully discharging their duties, then the public confidence is shaken and it is probably inappropriate. That's why the article calls it a "tricky situation."
I'm sure the place is great and it appears well run, although I haven't been yet. I don't object to the business, I'm just concerned about the precedent of allowing situations where an officer's financial interests might influence their judgment.
Not trying to be a downer. I think most new businesses are great in our community. I just see a need to hold cops to a very high standard.
Jul 16, 2008, 2:55:00 PM
i like turtles.
Jul 16, 2008, 3:54:00 PM
No problem with this at all - if anything, I think a cop owning this place gives him a greater incentive to look after the immediate area.
Not much of a cigar smoker myself, but I've heard good things about this place from other people and want to check it out sometime.
7th Street
Jul 16, 2008, 5:10:00 PM
Police Officers have owned liquor stores in DC for decades, and I have never heard of a problem caused by it. I think that it shows a lot faith in a community to actually invest in it.
Jul 16, 2008, 5:38:00 PM
The place is wonderful. While an ethical conflict is possible, since the club part is small and requires membership, I doubt there will be any real trouble, and therefore there is a diminished risk of an ethical incident.
Jul 17, 2008, 2:55:00 AM
I always thought it to be a very nice gesture to the community from the family running the place (I've seen his mother and his wife run the till on separate occasions) to make the place a members only club. I've purchased cigars from the place numerous times, and now they are my tobacconists. Still, I found the bar area a little unapproachable when I went when it opened. All of the uniformed cops coming in and out of the place makes sense now too. If you like cigars, you should a least check it out, just don't park on my block:)
Jul 17, 2008, 10:56:00 AM
I think this is a great idea!! What better way to get to know an officer in the neighborhood! The membership plus the cost of a few drinks each month is a small price to pay to have true personal relationships with a bunch of police officers in the area.
Hell, I'd join for a year, get to know all the officers, get all their numbers and if i didn't like it, not rejoin again! This town is all about relationships so why not embrace it and build relationships with local neighborhood police officers.
Jul 17, 2008, 3:50:00 PM
to 9:37. Yes, you are the only one.
Jul 17, 2008, 11:16:00 PM
These neighborhoods and lots of other DC areas need all the legitimate businesses and stakeholders possible. If we dont have the guts, vision, bucks, time, whatever, to open a busines -we should patronize it. Every revitalized corner is one less for the bad guys to occupy. I know one of the business owners in his "day job" = these guys love their [day] jobs and are _truly_ committed to the neighborhoods they serve.
sign me - a Ward 5 resident.
Jul 20, 2008, 2:20:00 PM
It is absolutely unfortunate that something positive always takes a negative spin. There are hypotheticals that could be posed to being a parent with all of the recent exposure of children being killed by their parents. As far as the conflict of interest, that is just crazy. Police officers are people too and actually have lives and families outside of their work place. I just think that only negative people bring about negative energy and obviously this officer is a positive person because the "WASHINGTON POST" thought it was a good enough article to make the front page of the Metro section. I wish the officer, his wife and family great luck because there is too much negative energy put out there.
Jul 23, 2008, 10:33:00 AM
I think it is great that these officers are pursuing their dreams by opening businesses. I also believe that additional businesses of any kind in bad neighborhoods help to rehabilitate those areas. I do however take issue with the statement "The business comes across as "a gentleman's place" catering to African Americans, just as Wright imagined it." It annoys me that African Americans can promote their businesses as catering to "African Americans" but if a white person Promoted a business as catering to caucasians I am absolutely sure there would be backlash from the black community. There is such a double standard in the United States, you can also see this double standard or you can say cheap democracy of US that cuban cigars are banned 40 years ago and still not available in US.
Sep 14, 2009, 5:41:00 PM
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