RE: Subpoena Power - Videotapes
It was not until this session that I knew the Commissioner had subpoena power.
Why don't you subpoena the videotapes of Channels 2, 11 and 13 (especially 13) the Thursday night after Toulson was killed on October 6, 1984?
2, 11 and 13 were carrying live broadcasts at 11 to 11:30 out on Eager Street adjacent to the Penitentiary. WBAL and WFBR radio also were there. COs all over the state had threatened to strike. A statewide strike vote was to be held the next day at 11 am. A "tactical squad" was due in for duty at midnight - all the Pen COs had called in sick.
The political ramifications included Kurt Schmoke, then State's Attorney, future mayor.
The "tactical squad" turned out to be the visiting room staff of the House of Correction and they seized upon me. The "tactical squad" was unaware of all the media coverage until they arrived shortly after 11:30 pm. Whereupon, members of the "tactical squad" and I got into a "heated discussion". The "discussion" was not fit for a PG rating but was filmed by at least 13 and taped by WBAL and WFBR.
Members of the "tactical squad" and I hugged after the TV lights went out. Dave Durian of Channel 11 counseled them. They went meekly into the facility as scheduled at midnight and I walked home.
I woke up the next day to hear WBAL radio quoting what I had said the night before. A mounted police officer was positioned at the end of my block. The Sunpaper had an article about the privacy of onlookers at demonstrations. Channel 2 taped me when I returned to the site to look at South Wing once again.
The statewide strike vote failed that Friday morning. Arnold Hopkins (Commissioner) and Frank Hall (Secretary) appeared before the cameras that night but what they said was not carried on the night's broadcasts. (They didn't broadcast live Friday.)
The rest is history. So are MCAC and ECI.
As for the subpoena, "it is necessary for an effective administration of the Commissioner's duties".
What better use than to study (effective) labor relations under crisis? What better use than to have a complete history of the Division at odds with itself? Aren't you interested in how a given volunteer got her start in the Division?