Portland's next police chief
There was an engaging debate when Tim Burton was selected as police chief for Portland. Nobody questioned his integrity, ability, or performance during his successful career in Portland. He had been an enlightened officer and manager.
The other key contender for the position had similar credentials, but was black. Would a person of color be better able to understand the needs and concerns of our "minority" communities? Would such a person have been a better leader at that time? We'll never know, and I've no criticism of chief Burton.
I hope the question stays alive as we prepare to choose another chief, now that Burton is moving to Texas. We need to not be color-BLIND but color-AWARE as we select a security chief for our multi-ethnic community.
I also hope we'll find another term than "minority" -- because there's nothing "minor" about the many people of color who are becoming more and more visible in our community. What do they need, and what do we all need, for a sense of security right now?
Please don't just read this! Think about it, answer my question, and ask your own. Post here, and speak up.
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I wonder why color is even an issue? Personally, I would like a Chief of Police who would provide services to the community on a completely equal basis, who would apply existing laws in the same fashion and who would be prepared to serve the community as a whole.
Qualifications for a position such as this could be well documented through research of an individual's performance in prior positions, through extensive contact with references and leaders in past communities and through rigorous personal interviews of the cantidates.
Or are you suggesting that it should be a requirement for the next police chief to give special treatment to certain segments of the community who may have "special" or "different" needs because they are "people of color"?
Posted by Peter Cutler
July 11, 2008 08:28 PM
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