No representation-no way
Students should have voice in selecting the next police chief
Issue date: 6/17/09 Section: Opinion
It's time for college students to take action in Macomb. Recently, Police Chief Mike Galloway announced his retirement. While students may think this doesn't affect them, the truth is that since we comprise at least half of the city's population during two-thirds of the year, the person in charge of local law enforcement is important to us.
In fact, what better time to have our voice heard than now, with the retirement of the city's top cop-a person who does have an effect on our lives on a daily basis?
Think about it-to whom do you answer if you break the law, violate a municipal code or have a misunderstanding with a community member? Look at the police beat in any local paper and you'll see that often the list contains student names. The police chief is where the law enforcement buck stops. Of all the public agencies in Macomb, the police department is the one that probably has the closest involvement with many students.
With all of that in mind, it's time for students to have be part of the process of selecting the next police chief. Just because it's summer doesn't mean students should be ignored or shouldn't have a say in who will be the next police chief. It's essential that student be involved in hiring the next leader of local law enforcement efforts and the person who will have a lot to say about what types of crimes are given a priority in the community. The next chief will determine how sensitive the local police are to the unique challenges of protecting and serving a college-dominated town.
The WC editorial board calls on Mayor Mick Wisslead, who has already indicated a preference for the next police chief, and the City Aldermen to include student representation in the process of hiring the next police chief. That representative can be designated by the SGA or could be any involved student willing to stand up for the rights of students. What is important, though, is to make sure students have someone speak on their behalf on such a critical issue.
In this time of change-in Illinois, in Washington and even Tehran-we deserve to have our voices heard. We want to have some influence on the decisions that affect our lives. Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Students need to be part of this important changing of the guard in the Macomb Police Department.
In fact, what better time to have our voice heard than now, with the retirement of the city's top cop-a person who does have an effect on our lives on a daily basis?
Think about it-to whom do you answer if you break the law, violate a municipal code or have a misunderstanding with a community member? Look at the police beat in any local paper and you'll see that often the list contains student names. The police chief is where the law enforcement buck stops. Of all the public agencies in Macomb, the police department is the one that probably has the closest involvement with many students.
With all of that in mind, it's time for students to have be part of the process of selecting the next police chief. Just because it's summer doesn't mean students should be ignored or shouldn't have a say in who will be the next police chief. It's essential that student be involved in hiring the next leader of local law enforcement efforts and the person who will have a lot to say about what types of crimes are given a priority in the community. The next chief will determine how sensitive the local police are to the unique challenges of protecting and serving a college-dominated town.
The WC editorial board calls on Mayor Mick Wisslead, who has already indicated a preference for the next police chief, and the City Aldermen to include student representation in the process of hiring the next police chief. That representative can be designated by the SGA or could be any involved student willing to stand up for the rights of students. What is important, though, is to make sure students have someone speak on their behalf on such a critical issue.
In this time of change-in Illinois, in Washington and even Tehran-we deserve to have our voices heard. We want to have some influence on the decisions that affect our lives. Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Students need to be part of this important changing of the guard in the Macomb Police Department.
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posted 6/26/09 @ 5:52 AM CST
Yeah i think students should be provided a chance to choose the police chief so they can feel comfortalbe with him and work really nicely in the society. (Continued…)
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