To the Editor:
May 25, 2011

As most now know we are losing our police chief. For the first time in recent memory we the citizens are being given a real opportunity to have input into the selection of the new chief. I encourage every Neighborhood Association and every citizen to get involved in the process.

The selection of this chief is more important than any in our lifetime for two reasons. This chief will probably be the last selected by the Board of Police Commissioners. Most all indicators say there will be a public election and the police control will be returned to the city rather than state control. All indicators say there will be an election and it will be state-wide and will actually be a change to our State Constitution. Many political analysts believe it will pass.

If we go to city control, this chief must be able to work with the city manager, mayor and council, all the while having to change the culture within the department. All indicators say the battles within the department will be fierce. Many officers will fight the change. Considering the chief will probably have only 18 months under the old system we need to consider two things. Do we want an interim chief for only that 18 months or do we want a permanent chief? If permanent, maybe we should look outside the department. A new chief from outside would be free to effect this change without alliances to members of the department – many who would be friends to an in-house chief.

Chief Corwin has done a barely adequate job on quality of life crimes. However, he has done a better job than his predecessors. Which candidate would be the best to expand community policing and improve our quality of life?

I will go into this process with an open mind. I hope you do as well. I do hope you will attend the forums and flood the police board before they vote. We must be heard. If we the citizens had been heard, especially in St. Louis, we would not be facing this change to city control.

Charles Melton, Kansas City, Mo.