Pubdate: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 Source: Maui News, The (HI) Copyright: 2011 The Maui News Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/1Mw4cXws Website: http://www.mauinews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2259 Author: Lloyd Buell POLICE EFFORT HAS APPEARANCE OF LOBBYING I would like to comment on the Feb. 15 article "Police pan pot proposals." I have been told that the role of our police force is enforcement of the law and it is not their job to question the validity of a law but only to enforce it. It occurs to me that taking a "'proactive stance' to show the public its opposition to marijuana by reaching out to Maui residents at public places" is going beyond enforcement and entering the realm of politics. Perhaps I am misunderstanding something here, but isn't passing out pamphlets a political act? Beside being outside of the role of enforcement, lobbying for or against any legislation that has a direct connection to the lobbyist's employment should be viewed as a conflict of interest at the least. Are the police creating a political platform in order to influence the lawmakers and the public? Is this really part of their job? Just asking. Lloyd Buell Ulupalakua - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom