Gosh, it seems that city manager Terence O’Connor has arbitrarily determined that only a small, select group should have any input in the hiring of a new police chief. Included in the group are the mayor, Steve Britton, (probably grudgingly), two council members yet unnamed, (but that despot, Parker will likely be one of them) and two citizens of O’Connor’s choosing.
The city charter prohibits the council from speaking to the city manager about hiring and firing issues except at council meetings. Consequently, if concerned citizens want to have any say in the hiring of a new police chief they better rally and attend the next council meeting en masse. We have learned that O’Connor’s concerns are not for the city as a whole but for his little fiefdom and he is not likely to choose anyone that the general population will either respect or appreciate.
More on all this soon.
k9maj1…
it is nice to hear from an applicant. We have had a badge heavy nincompoop with a dire need for an attitude adjustment as a chief in this town for FAR too long. It warms my heart to see that we have a candidate that might actually believe the citizens of Coquille…concerned or not, are not village idiots.
Thank you.
k9maj1, thank you so much for your comment and introduction. Presuming your comments are sincere and I take you at faith that they are, your philosophy and willingness to reach out to the public is exactly what we hope to find as a police chief.
It is important to lead by example and I believe that most of the officers on the Coquille PD have the potential to be superb police officers given the right directives. We are a small community with a high unemployment rate and few opportunities for the youth in the community. My personal hope is that we will find a chief sensitive to the stresses everyone is under and weigh the cost to the community of adding additional stress rather than help.
We are all, even those of us critical of the department now, predisposed to be sympathetic to the officers. It is the leadership we have taken issue with.
Thank you again, and good luck. Many of us are lobbying to be on the hiring committee. Your comment will be forward on.
I have applied for the postion of Police Chief of Coquille, I was an Assistant Chief of Police at two agencies here in Georgia. I have read a lot about the issues plaguing your fine community and from the outside looking in there is a definite need for proper police oversight. I also understand that I haven’t seen both sides and can’t say the officers are not performing their duties professionally as well as fair and impartially. I am a hands on leader and have always lead by this motto “leaders lead from the front”. I have been given a duty to protect citizens of the communities , and expect every officer that works for me to do the same. I believe in accountability in everyones actions including and always starting with me. I have never made excuses for my officers, I face the issue head on and deal with the problem no matter where the chips fall. I hope that this gives you a little information of at least one of the applicants and hope I can come to your city and earn your trust and confidence and rebuild the damage reputation of your embattled police force.