The Oakland Press has an editorial in today’s edition suggesting that the City of Rochester should revisit the issue of contracting for police services with the sheriff’s department. Essentially it says: “There were big problems with the management of the department, and this is evidenced by the Nottley Report and the resignation of the police chief”. They go on to suggest that these are reasons to consider disbanding the local police and contracting with the sheriff.

Their conclusion is totally wrong. The community outrage at the suggestion to replace the local police, coupled with the city council input into the Nottley Report and the ultimate resignation of the police chief, is precisely the direction the city needs to head. Although he is still bucking the city council, I think that the city manager’s position is also in jeopardy.

The path the council is on is the correct path. The success of any department in the city begins at the top. The very top. A new police chief, with new ideas and a new direction from the elected officials, is on the way. This is exactly how the issue needed to play out.

I think the Oakland Press editorial fails to recall, or purposely ignores, the history that brought about the retirement of the police chief. In my opinion, their comment smacks of political posturing.

What do you think?

This entry was posted Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 at 8:48 am and is filed under My Views, Police Dept. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.