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PORTSMOUTH POLICE PATROLMAN'S UNION BASHES BENSON FOR HIS ATTACK ON THE INTEGRITY OF THE KEENE POLICE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION.
Police Call Benson a Liar
Tuesday, September 21, 20044

Portsmouth Herald
By Elizabeth Kenny

PORTSMOUTH - Portsmouth Police Officer Tim Cashman, speaking on behalf of about 50 Portsmouth police officers, called Gov. Craig Benson "a liar" on Monday and asked all New Hampshire voters, Democrat and Republican, to review Benson’s record before voting in November.

Cashman said he’s only one of hundreds of police officers across the state who are outraged at Benson’s behavior since he took office.

"We took an oath when we became police officers to impartially enforce the state’s laws and treat people fairly, with respect and dignity," said Cashman, who represents the Portsmouth Police Patrolman’s Union. "Gov. Benson took a similar oath when he took office. Maybe it’s time that he receive some remedial training in that area."

Cashman said his concerns stemmed from the governor’s "disregard" to the candidates forum in Portsmouth, which he skipped in favor of greeting Vice President Dick Cheney on a trip to the state, and his "attack on the integrity" of the Keene Police Officers Association following its endorsement of Democratic candidate John Lynch.

According to the campaign, Lynch has also been endorsed by the New Hampshire State Troopers, the Retired State Troopers Association, Concord Police Patrolmen’s Association and the Salem Police Officers Association.

"We are deeply concerned with the quantity of scandals and integrity issues surrounding Craig Benson’s administration," said Mark Dumas, president of the Concord Patrolman’s Association, in a press release.

The Portsmouth Police Union cannot endorse a candidate, but Cashman said its message is still clear: "We would never support Benson."

Benson’s Press Secretary Alicia Preston said on Monday that she would not respond to Cashman’s "rhetoric, because it’s not appropriate campaign discussion and not helpful to anyone."

Instead, Preston talked about campaign promises the governor has kept.

"He kept his No. 1 promise, not to increase taxes," said Preston. "He kept that promise firm, and he created a surplus."

Preston also said the governor "supports all police officers in the state. ... We just hope that message will get out as time goes on."

But Cashman’s ire with the governor runs deep, and began about a year ago, when Benson proposed taking $32 million from a special state retirement account in order to offset health insurance costs.

Cashman publicly criticized the governor in February 2003 and cited Benson’s campaign promises that the money would not be touched.

On March 5, 2003, police officers from around the state gathered at the Statehouse to oppose the governor’s plan, and later persuaded the governor to change his proposal.

Preston argued that Benson was merely "looking at different possibilities" and that information gathering is always a benefit to the state.

But Cashman said the 2003 mishap, along with numerous other concerns, account for the New Hampshire police and fire unions’ lack of support for the governor during his 2004 race.

The governor’s disregard for a gubernatorial debate in Portsmouth early this month, was the last straw said Cashman.

"His skipping the candidates forum at Portsmouth City Hall equates to a malfeasance of duty on his part as the leader of New Hampshire," said Cashman.

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