Police refuse Scientology help

by Ned Seaton, Jane Meinhardt, Wayne Garcia

©St. Petersburg Times, published January 23, 1994

Police officials have consistently put down attempts by the Church of Scientology to ingratiate itself to the department, rebuffing offers of help from the organization to fight crime and drugs.

Clearwater intelligence files kept since 1981 show many instances in which Scientologists, both church officials and lay members, sent pamphlets, books and other Scientology information to the police. In letters, Scientologists offered their anti-drug and criminal rehabilitation services. In meetings, they warned of deprogramers and criticized a national anti-cult group.

It is clear from the files that Police Chief Sid Klein remained wary about any association between his department, which continues a criminal investigation into Scientology, and any Scientology-related group.

Take the 1990 case of the Concemed Businessmen's Association of America, a group of Scientologists.

The Califomia-based association wrote to Klein to offer an award to Clearwater's "Officer Friendly," who was then Officer Fred Casale. He was to receive a "major award in the Set a Good Example contest, based on the very popular book, The Way to Happiness, a non-religious, common-sense guideline for better living," the letter said.

The Way to Happiness was written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and includes moral guideposts such as an admonition against murdering or harming a person of good will. The book does not mention Scientology.

Klein refused, writing that Casale "will not accept the award by the above-referenced group, that he will not attend the ceremonies and that no response is required to the organization."

In an interview last week, Klein said: "The Church of Scientology has a historical pattern of attempting to reflect a favorable image by associating themselves with governmental agencies, including law enforcement agencies. That continues to this date."

Scientology spokesman Richard Haworth said the organization is proud of its good works and doesn't understand the Police Department's wariness.

"ln other areas where people are not prejudiced and bigoted, this help is accepted with open arms," Haworth wrote. "What do we think about the rejection in Clearwater? That's like asking blacks what they think about the KKK burning crosses on their front lawn."

Police files also contain:

• Letters from children at the True School, a private school in Clearwater that uses Hubbard's and Scientology teachings but is not owned by the Church of Scientology. One letter to "Officer Friendly" from the school was sent this month, asking for permission to swear in Clearwater police officers in an anti-drug program sponsored by Scientology.

• A standing offer to help the Police Department battle crime, written by Heber Jentzch, a top-ranking Scientologist. Jentzch wrote: "Those who apply the principles of Scientology are achieving happiness and success in today's troubled wortd."

• Records of meetings between department officials and Haworth, who warned of the danger of anti-cult groups and deprogramers. In a 1992 meeting, Haworth brought "a large, slick hardcover (Scientology) book" as a gift. Another time, Haworth offered copies of The Way to Happiness to give to "troubled youth" in the North Greenwood neighborhood.

There is no evidence in the files that Clearwater police responded to the letters, offers and booklets.