A group representing 140 area law enforcement officers has endorsed challenger Steve Dawson in the Cass County State's Attorney election, citing a communications problem between officers and prosecutors.
The Red River Valley Fraternal Order of Police Lodge said Thursday it wants Dawson elected over incumbent Birch Burdick, who is finishing his first term. Dawson is a Lodge member.
"Much of the discussion leading up to the endorsement focused on the breakdown of communications between the law enforcement community and the State's Attorney's office, " the group said via a press release.
Fargo police officer Joe Johnson, Lodge president, said, "It just doesn't seem that there's really good communication between the state's attorney's office and several of the local agencies. Information's not being disseminated the way it possibly could be."
Johnson said he didn't know if the problem has led to blown cases, but, "I know that sometimes it makes the job a lot more difficult, with trying to track people down, trying to contact (prosecutors) for clarifications and issues and sometimes they're not getting back to us. Whether it's made substantial problems, I can't comment on that."
ADVERTISEMENT
Burdick said he isn't sure what specific communications problems are happening.
"I'm kind of surprised and perplexed at that statement," Burdick said. "We have a good, cooperative relationship with law enforcement. We work with them day in and day out."
Burdick said that the different roles of police and prosecutors can sometimes make for tension. But "if there's something we can do better, I'm happy to hear what they have to offer," he said. "If they think there is (a communications breakdown), I'm happy to listen to their concern."
Dawson, who began his career here as a sheriff's deputy in 1979 and became a lawyer in 1988, said he has heard of communications problems but didn't have any specific examples.
"I sense frustration, more than anything specifically," he said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Tom Pantera at (701) 241-5541
