Iowa police chief apologizes for insensitive statement vs Pinoys

WASHINGTON – Iowa Police Commissioner K. Brian London has apologized to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia over his statement that it was difficult to conduct polygraph examinations on Filipinos.

Cuisia said he telephoned London on Friday after being made aware of the police chief’s controversial statement to polygraph examiners in Iowa last year where he allegedly mentioned that it was difficult to conduct polygraph examinations on Filipinos.

Cuisia said London explained his statement was part of a technical discussion meant to underscore to polygraph examiners the difficulty they could encounter in handling individuals who speak different languages or who come from different cultures.

To illustrate his point, London said he cited as an example the polygraph examination he conducted on a Filipino in 1986 that required the assistance of an interpreter. He said that as a result of the controversy, he now regrets having to refer to a particular nationality in making that statement.

“Commissioner London was profuse in expressing his apology to me over his statements and repeatedly said it was never his intention to disparage or malign any particular nationality, most especially Filipinos,” Cuisia said in an embassy press release.

The ambassador told London he would convey his apologies to the members of the Filipino community and suggested the police chief reach out to the more than 3,500 Filipinos residing in Iowa to “have a better understanding and appreciation of who we are as people.” – With Pia Lee-Brago