Word has it that officers have been ordered not to speak to residents for a "prolonged period" unless it is specifically official business. No fraternizing with the residents. There is a legitimate purpose for this in that officers aren't being ineffective and talking to residents while they should be patrolling, however it takes a lot of the community out of it and makes the officers feel almost inaccessible, or removed from the community.
Here's a copy of the memo (Public Record) from the Police Chief on Conversing with Citizens/Elected Officials
I do believe the Chief has the safety of the Village at heart, and in speaking with her she is courteous and professional. It seems to me, though, that she expects to be the only path of communication between residents and the police force. Either this be of her own accord of that of the Mayor. Yes, this could quell untrue rumors, but in our small community, it seems like it's more to keep us under the impression the Villager gives. Everything's peachy here. It looks like it, until you start asking questions no one wants to answer.
If I were a veteran officer, accustomed to being friendly with all residents, I would be disheartened to have received this. Things aren't the way they used to be around here. I'm almost afraid to be friendly with the officers myself, for fear they could be reprimanded for it.
Or maybe I'm just wrong and this is completely necessary. You have the order in front of you, take from it what you wish.
The Chief’s letter does not say the officers cannot be friendly or have conversations with residents, it says such conversations should not be extended, which of course is an ambiguous period of time and may be open to debate. If I were an officer, I would interrupter extended as lasting more than a few minutes. I do not know what the Police Chief considers extended, maybe she will comment.
ReplyDeleteThe policy of not discussing municipal politics, officials, or policies while on duty is pretty standard within policy and procedure manuals for most public safety organizations. We have the same policy within the Columbus Division of Fire and had several incidents of firefighters receiving discipline due to publically criticizing the Mayor of Columbus and the Fire Chief while on duty (or in uniform even off duty).
Off duty and out of uniform could be a different situation due to First Amendment rights, but if you speak libel or deformation of character about a supervisor or fellow officer in public, you could still be held accountable by some policies.
Sworn officers of public safety often must go by a different set of rules and regulations than the normal citizen, just as the military. As a resident of Minerva Park and a retired fire lieutenant, I have no objections to the letter the Police Chief issued.
Charles Legg
Wow, it's really nice to know that the chief of police has your approval. Or is it part of your job by being placed in that vacant council seat to agree with whatever she says.
ReplyDeleteIt is absolutely paramount that officers develope and maintain a rapport with the communities they patrol in. Each officer should be encouraged to stop and talk to as many residents as possible, patrolling on foot and going door to door if time permits. That's called community policing and that's how crimes are prevented and solved. However, bashing the mayor or chief while on duty does not build a positive rapport with anyone. Just my 2¢…
ReplyDeleteWhy do you assume this has to be a police officer. You know what happens when you assume !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have to assume ...the memo was written and signed by the police chief and is directed to her officers. Duh! And only one exclamation point is enough to get your point across..unless you're in the fifth grade?
DeleteOne of those questions that I ask but probably won't get an answer to is, What " recent events involving elected officials and residents", is the Chief referring to. I don't know what recently happened to change the character of the Village. That's one of those things that makes,or that used to make this place special. Like the person above said it's called community policing. The Chief isn't afraid to fire Police officers, why would an Officer take a chance. Its just another example of the village driving a wedge between itself and the residents.It reminds me of a saying, " The beatings will continue until moral improves". That's how I would describe the way the Mayor and Police Chief have been acting lately. They have fired and demoted all of our best Officers, in my opinion. No disrespect to our existing Officers intended.
ReplyDeleteI think Mr. Legg has the right outlook on this. Benedetti, I think you need to check what century you are living in. You probably also think the CIA is tapping your phone and following you around, right? Bottom line....grow up and get a life.
ReplyDeleteAs I have said before, I REFUSE TO GROW UP, and I have a life, and a big part of that life is spent correcting the mistakes of the Village Officials. Remember Dave, I'm watching you and the things you do. How do you like being told your not conducting yourself the way you should. You don't react very well to it from what I've seen. I,ll decide what the bottom line is, not you.
ReplyDeleteWell smart ass, I got one up on you, just wanted to see how stupid you people really are, and yes I am smarter than a fifth grader. You will start seeing some familiar faces in the council meetings because I am sick and tired of the crap that is going on, and if I have to go door to door to prove that the residents have no clue on what is going on then I will. It wasn't from a police officer past or present!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope to see you there. You should be the only one there with a clue. Cause we're all so stupid.
ReplyDeleteSee ya on the 13th unless I knock on your door first
ReplyDeleteWow! Where ever Kim Nuesse goes, chaos follows! That memo sure looks like a set up. If you are on my team, talk all day. If you are on the chopping block, talk for a minute and you are in violation of insubordination. Key word "insubordination". That is grounds for termination.
Deleteit's only grounds for termination if you can find someone who knows the actual policies, follows them and is capable of following through with those who don't. Notice how the mayor hasn't followed through with her own policies and no one has held her accountable? Why does she keep getting re-elected? Are the residents really this clueless? Anyone who kisses the right buttock won't be terminated, those who question things are attempt to do their job, they will either move on or be terminated. Hence why you have Neusse followed by the fearless Fenstermaker, headed by Eisentrout. God Help Minerva Park!
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