Archive for February 13, 2009
Edgewood’s Law Enforcement Meltdown
by John Weckerle
In this week’s issues of the Mountain View Telegraph and The Independent, articles appeared reporting the resignation of Edgewood Police Chief Paul Welch. According to the articles, factors leading to the Chief’s departure include problems with standard operating procedures, as well as issuing equipment and ammunition.
The Telegraph article suggests mismanagement of equipment and ammunition. This would, on the surface appear inexcusable – but without hearing the other side of the story, it is not clear how this came to pass. Of significant interest is the discussion of the development of procedures. According to the Telegraph, Mr. Welch filed a draft of the procedures on June 1, 2008. The article also states: “Stearley said he required the chief to turn in a set of procedures before the first officer was hired, but didn’t have the work reviewed until recently.” The Town’s attorney reportedly saw problems with the procedures, which lead, supposedly, to the Chief’s resignation.
It seems inconceivable that such a critical issue was essentially left ignored for such a length of time, and allowed to build to a crisis. Questions that must be asked and answered are many, but should certainly include an examination of just why the procedures were not reviewed “until recently.” Mr. Welch’s side of this story should also be heard. It is one thing to be negligent in developing vital policies, but quite another to attempt to do so and be hogtied by bureaucratic inattention. Without access to Mr. Welch’s resignation letter – which, according to the article in The Independent, the town refused to release – it is impossible to ascertain the facts of the matter. »» Edgewood’s Law Enforcement Meltdown