Pubdate: Mon, 31 Jul 2000
Source: News-Sentinel (IN)
Copyright: 2000 The News-Sentinel
Contact:  600 West Main Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Website: http://www.news-sentinel.com/ns/index.shtml
Author: Kevin Leininger, for the editorial board

DEBATE NEEDED ON POLICE HIRING POLICY

Don't Punish "Mistakes," But Don't Hire Serious Drug Offenders,
Either.

Predictably, some have accused Republican City Council members of
"playing politics" with a new guideline allowing certain people who
have used hard drugs to become Fort Wayne police officers.

That charge is patently unfair because, whatever their motives, a
policy of this nature deserves and demands a robust and open debate.
By making their concerns public last week, critics ensured that such a
controversial policy will not be implemented stealthily -- which, in
the long run, will do police-community relations far more good than
harm. Now that the policy has become fodder for criticism and debate,
the larger question remains: Does it, in its current form, promote the
best interests of the police department and the citizens of Fort Wayne?

On balance, we think not.

Chief Rusty York may be right when he says that people who have lived
exemplary lives should not be denied the chance to become police
officers because of a "one-time, youthful indiscretion." All of us
have made mistakes in our lives; most of us outgrow them, perhaps
becoming wiser for the experience.

The problem is that York's policy, as written, does not pave the way
for only those who make a "mistake" to serve.

Law prohibits convicted felons from becoming police officers, but
there is still a vast degree of drug usage covered by York's policy.
There is a huge and obvious difference, for example, between a
16-year-old who experimented with cocaine once or twice and a person
who used the drug for years, well into adulthood. The former example
may reflect youthful curiosity; the latter may reflect possible
dependency and questionable judgment.

Both could, however, theoretically become Fort Wayne police officers
under York's policy, since it disqualifies only those who have used
hard drugs in the last five years.

Any policy of this sort, of course, depends on the honesty of
applicants. But York, who has expressed a willingness to consider
changes, should at least do what he can to keep people with lengthy or
adult histories of drug use off the force.

Otherwise, the term "drug cop" may take on connotations neither police
nor the public should welcome.
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