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What is this?
There is no second option
Published Saturday, October 24, 2009
For over a year now I’ve been going into the Selma Police Department building on Alabama Avenue more days than not.
The first time I noticed the overall appearance of the building and I quite liked it. But the more time I spent there the more I realized it needed work, major work.
Now, this column isn’t going to point fingers because honestly that never gets anything done except make people made. Instead it is going to hopefully make a plea on behalf of the 52 officers of the police department.
Do you ever think to yourself how did people work before the Internet? Just ask some of the officers. There have been great strides in getting the department up to the 21st century, but more can be done.
The building, although is has been allegedly cleared of mold, is eaten up with mold. When I walk into particular offices it reeks of it and in one you can pull up the carpet and see mold growing.
That’s just the cosmetic stuff though.
In order to fill the eight positions available for the department, there has to be reasons to come. Also, to get the 52 officers to stay there has to be incentives too.
Right now there are a number of officers waiting to be promoted to Sgt., Lt. or Capt. You might say why should there be any promotions?
Well, in 5 years time all but a few Sgts. will be retired. There will be no Lts. left.
In order to inform officers of Sgts. or Lts. day-to-day and yearly duties, there has to officers there to train them.
I’ve heard a number of people in the department worry about the bond issue.
One officer said, “Katie, there is no plan b for us.”
I’m not a city resident, but if I could vote Tuesday I would vote in favor of the bond for the police department.
For too long they have taken abuse from every angle, but now is the time to stand behind our officers.
Why?
First, they deserve it. Second, they protect our city. Third, they need to know we as citizens appreciate them, support them and are willing to pay for them.
Passing the bond issue for the police would be a huge encouragement to the men and women who go out when we are safe in our homes and patrol Selma’s streets.
It’s not an easy job, but we can surely make it easier.
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Comments
Posted by Toad (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 1:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You have hit the nail on the head Katie. Well done. It amazes me how they put up with what they did from the public and worse even, the administration, during the Perkin's terms. Now it is time to see if they fare any better under Evans. He has been handcuffed, pun intended, by the financial crunch. With the passage of the bond he will have some leeway in treating the employees at the PD better.
For the safety of the public's sake, I hope he realizes that nothing positive will occurr in this city until the police force become an elite unit and has the manpower to prevent, not just respond to crime.
I will strongly supporting the passage of the bond that affects the Police Department. This will help the officers keep us safer, and hopefully properly compensate and reward those already on the force and encourage others to apply. The whole City will then benefit.
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