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Friday, February 26, 2010

St. Paul internal police chief candidates interpret community's wants

Topic requested...Please click onto the COMMENTS for the story.

posted by Bob at Friday, February 26, 2010

3 Comments:

Anonymous Pioneer Press said...

They're favored, but did they listen?

By Mara H. Gottfried
mgottfried@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 02/26/2010 12:11:20 AM CST


What do the St. Paul officers vying to be the city's next police chief think community members are looking for in a chief?

The Pioneer Press asked the four internal candidates that question after a final community meeting Thursday. The meetings were billed as an opportunity for the committee helping to select St. Paul's next chief to hear from citizens about the qualities and characteristics they're looking for.

The names of the 10 candidates aren't public, but all the internal candidates have confirmed to the Pioneer Press that they applied. The names of the six external candidates aren't known.

People at both meetings say they want the next chief to come from within the ranks. Here's how, after the event, the internal candidates — who also attended the meetings — answered this question: What were your biggest take-away points from the community meetings?

Cmdr. Todd Axtell, watch commander, a job he describes as running the police department on the night shift: "Community policing and crime prevention. Specifically, what I want to do is increase our patrol officer strength within each district by 10 percent through consolidation of specialized units because those units have overlapping responsibility, and we can be a lot smarter about how we utilize those units.

"Also, I'm hearing that being reflective of our community in the police department is very important, as it builds the trust in those we serve."

Senior Cmdr. Colleen Luna, who heads the Western District: "I think community policing is imperative, that we take the good balance that we have and move it forward to the next level. "I think the integrity piece is huge. The internal-affairs process needs to be more transparent, both to the community and to the officers. We need to add a restorative piece to that, so we repair the harm that is caused and we can work together as better partners."

Senior Cmdr. Bill Martinez, who heads the Eastern District: "I think the community wants more engagement. I think there's a perception that there's a disconnect. The community policing and accountability piece goes back to the concept of having visible police officers that work the beat.

"Another theme echoed by several people is the accountability of the police department. The department in general, but specifically when there is a concern about an officer's demeanor — how is that being addressed and in an internal-affairs investigation, is the feedback given back to the person who made the complaint in a timely manner?"

Assistant Chief Thomas Smith, who oversees operations, which includes patrol and citywide services: "I was not surprised by what I heard because I live in the city and everything that was said bodes to our department's values and ethics about community policing.

"The community wants a strong leader with good vision. I think they want someone with integrity, who will be the face of the department and available to the department and the community at all times."

Mara H. Gottfried can be reached at 651-228-5262.

What's Next

The police chief selection committee will interview the candidates and recommend five finalists to the mayor. Community meetings will be held again in April, and citizens will be able to ask questions of the finalists. The mayor will name his nominee in May, and the city council will vote. Chief John Harrington's term expires June 30 and the new chief is to begin work immediately.

7:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

the handwriting is on the wall folks. the fix is in.

12:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The big secret is, why did Harrington quit such a prestigious job?

9:37 AM  

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