By James G. Smith

It is unfortunate pay increases for the Selma Police Department have come down to sick outs by officers. However, this is an issue that has been around for quite some time.

I can recall several years and chiefs back the problem of pay being brought up.

The Selma Police Department has, more or less, been a training ground for other law enforcement agencies and cities that pay their officers more.

They get trained here and move on to higher wages in other agencies and cities. It is a revolving door losing good officers due to pay deficiencies.

You only have to ask anyone connected with the recruiting process to know how difficult it is to find replacements. There are positions open now for officers.

However, the problem is finding applicants willing to work for the pay scale and can pass the rigorous tests, evaluations and screenings necessary to qualify.

Officers aren’t just hired off the street, given a badge and equipment, and placed in a patrol car.

They truly are a sampling of the best in the community.

So, this should be no big surprise for city leaders.

The other factor is the unfulfilled promises of giving a permanent raise to the department. One should be careful of making promises without a plan or means to make good on them. Promises do not pay the bills or provide the means to do so.

I can hardly find fault with the officers for resorting to such drastic measures to get a hearing on their plight.

Granted, they were aware of the pay scales when hiring on, but have repeatedly ask for redress of the pay scale for the good of the department and their own well being.

It is also unfortunate it occurred so near election time. It could very well affect the outcome of the election if unresolved by then. Perhaps, the thought was, it is now or never.

If left unresolved by this administration, chances are it would be back to the promises stage by another.

I couldn’t help but ponder how the council could vote to make the AmeriCorps grant a funding priority while faced with this serious situation with public safety. Public safety should be the number one priority of any government body.

The citizens need and deserve their representatives be attuned to the safety of all residents. All other needs are secondary to a safe environment in which to live and work.

The facts are, without a first class police department to assure safety and protection, a community will not flourish and you can forget tourism.

Tourists aren’t likely to risk their life or property just to visit a historic city on the river.

It all comes down to priorities, and what kind of city we have.