Should Denver’s police chief get the ax? Do we even need a manager of public safety? And why does it take so long to resolve police discipline cases?
Some of the more pressing issues in the upcoming Denver mayoral election center on public safety, including problems with police department leadership and its disciplinary system.
We asked the six leading mayoral candidates for their views on the questions, and while all of them expressed some degree of criticism of the status quo, there were differences.
Chris Romer got it right, we think, when he said the current police disciplinary system is neither swift nor certain and needs to be refined.
Furthermore, he would not retain Police Chief Gerry Whitman and would entertain debate about the necessity of having a public safety manager, which is the civilian authority over the Denver police, fire and sheriff’s departments.
We’re not ready to declare the position, which has been ensconced in the city charter since 1960, dead just yet, but given the turmoil of the past year — and the fact Denver has had four public safety managers in less than a year — the time is ripe for just such a debate.
Romer also was well-informed on the structure of the system, and firm in his belief the police department has a strong disciplinary system that isn’t being properly applied. He is right on all counts.
Similarly, Michael Hancock said he thinks the next mayor has to restore the credibility of the police department and install a chief who can build trust with the community.
He also wants to evaluate the need for the safety manager position. Hancock was articulate in his grasp of the problems and solutions.
James Mejia’s positions on public safety also tracked closely with those of Romer and Hancock, though he expressed more support for retaining the position of safety manager. He also said the disciplinary process ought to be streamlined and expressed support for a new chief — the right calls, we think.
Theresa Spahn talked about hiring a police chief from outside the department, which is a good idea, and expressed displeasure with the length of time that it took to turn around disciplinary cases.
In our discussions with Doug Linkhart, he spoke at length about his desire to cut police and sheriff staff, a risky move that would save money but could prove disastrous. He also expressed support for a chief who would focus on community policing, which involves officers proactively taking on conditions that lead to crime.
Linkhart also said he would hire a public safety manager “brave enough” to enforce the disciplinary matrix devised by former safety manager Al LaCabe, which would be beneficial, indeed.
Carol Boigon was the most off the mark in her comments, simply for refusing to say whether she would retain Whitman as chief. She called it a personnel matter.
It may be, but it’s also a cop-out. Voters deserve to know how someone who wants to be mayor views the effectiveness of the police chief.
As Denver voters consider the mayoral candidates, we hope they’ll think carefully about who will be best able to deal with the city’s public safety problems.
