With the city’s police department in turmoil, city candidates this week took differing stands on whether outside experts should be hired to review police management.
"We all know there are issues within the Police Department," Democratic city Councilor Rich Kilby said.
He said an outside study would open the door to "a more solid approach" for the department.
The other 1st District Democratic contender, Cliff Block, also said it should be done.
"It would even save face" for the police,” he said.
Republican mayoral candidate Ken Johnson said that instead of turning to outside experts, the city should bring together a diverse group to look into the problems, if they are serious enough to warrant review.
If there is a need, Johnson said, the group should involve peer review, an individual's superior, union representation, management representation, an elected official and someone from the public.
That would make the panel work properly, he said.
He said residents want to see that we're making "good, sound decisions" in city government and the type of panel he envisions would offer them.
Democratic mayoral hopeful Art Ward said that officials need to determine "if there's a bonafide reason" for an outside review.
But, he said, if it would serve the police and public, then it ought to be done.
Ward said he is concerned because people are “very quick" to suggest studies.
Rimcoski said the city probably needs an outside panel to deal with the questions raised about police management.
He said, though, the Police Board might be able to do the job.
Officials said there are a number of concerns about what’s going on within the Police Department, including the effort to discipline and perhaps fire Officers Brian Andrews and Greg Blackinton.
There are also lawsuits and bickering within the department’s ranks that have painted a portrait of a department in disarray.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
9 comments:
how objective would a local panel be - if the problems warrant that much scrutiny, then an internal vision is not going to resolve the problems objectively.
I agree with Art and TOTALLY disagree with Ken.
If the Police Board determines that the department is in need of intervention, then the Mayor should see to it that it happens.
Having a local group of people come together for review and intervention options would not be a good idea.
Local residents don't understand the police department enough to be able to make any real decisions about positive changes. And since they are local they may have bad feelings about how they may have been treated by the police at some point in their lives here.
If an intervention is necessary, there are professional organizations out there that do this on a regular basis and can offer an unbias view and solution.
How many of you have been to a Police Board meeting.
I'll bet Ken Johnson hasn't.
Learn a little before you speak!!!
I don't think I can recall the last time Art Ward was at a Police Board meeting so I am not sure this is worth taking aim at Ken over....
I'll bet Art HAS BEEN to Police Board meetings, which is more than one can say about Johnson.
More important, it is a reflection on tehe fact that Johnson has attended VERY FEW city meetings, and really does not know what he is talking about.
Our police department is perfectly fine. God bless the men in blue, they are heroes.
the sad fact is that Art has NOT been at apolice meetings or any others for that matter and he is most likely going to get elected even with his dismal faulure to answer performance at today's chamber breakfast. what does that say for our town?
What does that say about Bristol? Well, maybe that it gets what it deserves.
Like the "heroic" police department is has.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
Outside review means squat. It's the personell office and their attorneys who are scared to death of something biting them, so in any attempt to absolve themselves, they tie the hands of the chief, make him take action when he should not, forbid him to take it when he should, and swear him to secrecy making him a scapegoat. He's too willing. He needs to refuse now and with public newspaper quotes. Turn tables, tie city's hands in the public court of opinion. About time for a switch. Let truth be told. --the city is run by lawyers. Shortsighted ones.
Post a Comment