Officer David Gebhardt to Receive 2002 Ethical Courage Award

On January 4, 2001, Officer David Gebhardt was the "point" person with the Rochester, New York, Police Narcotics Team, as they entered a home to execute a drug search warrant. He was the first officer through the door, but in moving toward a rear room, he tripped on electrical cords causing his shotgun to discharge, strike and mortally wound a 21-year old, unarmed man sitting in a chair.

After this tragic incident, and prior to the case being presented to the Grand Jury or completion of the Internal Affairs investigation, David Gebhardt issued a public statement. In it, he expressed his deep sense of sorrow, and accepted full responsibility for this accidental shooting. His public statement, which helped reduce tensions in the city, was applauded by the mayor and a number of other community leaders.

David Gebhardt came face-to-face with one of the true "nightmares" in a police career. But according to Rochester Police Chief Robert Duffy, "his integrity, his character and his sense of responsibility to the profession and to his family not only helped him endure the trauma of this incident, but in the end, earned him a whole new level of respect as a person, set a new standard for integrity and accountability on behalf of police officers, and served as an outstanding example for everyone in law enforcement."

On October 18, 2002, at the 11th Annual International Ethics Conference, David Gebhardt will receive the Ethical Courage Award in recognition of his willingness to stand up for "the right thing," and for his unhesitating demonstration of character and integrity.

Paying the Toll in Moscow

Of the many changes taking place in the former Soviet Union, few have held the public interest like the recent institution of the new criminal code in June, 2002. And while fundamental issues like habeas corpus and the presumption of innocence have been widely hailed, a section of new law limiting the powers of traffic officers instantly won the hearts of motorists in and around Moscow. According to The New York Times (July 7, 2002), the new regulations prohibit the paying of fines "on the spot" – a euphemism for bribes extorted by traffic police with a reputation for stopping motorists for no apparent reason, and then demanding immediate payment. Under the new laws, charges can be appealed, only the court – not officers – can seize driver's licenses, and fines are to be paid to banks within 30 days. According to one research group in Moscow, Russian motorists pay $368 million each year in bribes to traffic police, an expense second only to getting children into college.