While he didn't literally say "prove it," that was Altadena Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow's message in several matters he addressed to the Altadena Town Council last night.
One was allegations that members of sheriff's support and advisory groups -- who have polo shirts identifying their membership -- were trying to pass themselves off as actual officers while staffing the polls (alleged in the last town council elections). Blow said that the shirts do not identify them as police officers, and if a member of a support group is trying to pass themselves off as an officer, they would be removed. And "unless someone can come forth" with a signed affidavit, "I'm taking it as rumors, conjecture on the part of individuals."
Likewise, Blow said, people who were complaining about conduct of the department and deputies would have to stand behind their complaints. People were making complaints without evidence to back it up, he said. He also said that there were sections in the state penal code penalizing filing a false police report, and if someone files a report knowing it to be false, "we will follow up on it."
Finally, Blow said that "I have consulted with an attorney on a couple of issues, a couple of issues of slander and libel" regarding his performance as captain. "In some cases, the town council also gets accused of things without any proof -- I’m encouraging the council as a body ... I’m encouraging you to seek legal counsel, and sue them civilly ...I can give you the name of an attorney who is really good at it."
