© 2024 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202

Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
WBFO Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Your NPR Station
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Local Criminal Justice Expert Weighs in on Delano Suspension

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – A local criminal justice expert weighs in on the suspension of Buffalo Police detective Dennis Delano.

Hilbert College professor Edward Qualey teaches criminal justice and forensic science. But he worked directly in the field for more than two decades.

Qualey is a veteran member of law enforcement. He served 25 years as a sergeant and supervisor with the New York State Police. Qualey says when he initially heard about the suspension of detective Delano he was surprised. But Qualey says once details emerged, his reaction changed.

Delano was suspended last week after he refused to stop his own investigation into the death of Lynn DeJac's daughter, Crystallynn. Delano even released video tapes containing evidence to a television station after the District Attorney ruled that the girl's death was cause a cocaine overdose.

But Qualey says Delano could have sought help from a federal grand jury or his own union, the PBA, if he felt the case was botched.

Calls to the head of the Buffalo Police union were not returned to WBFO News on Wednesday.

Click the "listen" icon above to hear Eileen Buckley's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.