If you have had the experience of discussing a point of view with a nonbeliever of your point of view, forget it!
When the facts are on your side, you argue the facts. If the facts aren’t on your side, you argue like hell, and/or, in the case of the Santa Clara Police Department…you spend a lot of money in an attempt to sway thinking.
In this case, who is right?
Consider this for a moment, there is no wrong. Either way you vote, for an elected Chief of Police or appointed Chief of Police, there is no right or wrong.
The question is, “How will Santa Clara hire the most qualified Chief of Police?”
Most important are residents, who are entitled to the best possible police chief. Since very few candidates are eligible to become the elected chief, this fact alone limits the choices.
Only about ten Santa Clara police officers live in the City. And currently you have to be a Santa Clara resident to be elected Chief. A few others are ineligible because they don’t have the experience of being a captain or even a lieutenant.
With these requirements in mind, what are the chances? What are the chances that residents will be able to pick the best candidate for Chief of Police? What are the chances when options are limited; or, in the case of most elections for Chief of Police, there is only one candidate.
In the current climate, once again, there is no choice because there will be only one candidate running, and that one person may not be your choice. However, it will be the choice of the POA.
At this point, up jump issues like oversight, objectivity, responsibility and most of all…accountability.
It is finally time that Santa Clara voters choose their existing management officials to make the selection. City management is capable of representing all of us when selecting a qualified chief — as they do in every other city in California. Replacing an elected chief with a professional chosen for their qualifications is a critical vote. Management oversight will allow for personal interviews, choosing experience, quality talent, skills, capability and fresh-face objectivity.
The Police Officers Association is promoting and funding its own pre-ordained candidate. It is spending thousands of dollars to oppose an appointed chief.
Have you asked yourself why?
A one candidate contest is not an election!
