I really enjoyed Evan McLaughlin‘s article “Struggle to Hire, Keep Cops.” The article was very informative and in-depth concerning the high loss of San Diego’s finest. He did explore some band-aid fixes presented by Deputy Chief Maheu, the City Council and the independent budget analyst.
My question: Exactly what is Police Chief Bill Lansdowne doing about this situation? Does he have any goals, any plans? The reason given for losing experienced police officers is salary and benefits. But there must be more going on at the PD to cause dissatisfaction than just money. As Maheu stated, with higher ranking officers departing there is a definite opportunity for lower ranking officers to be promoted and thus receiving higher salaries. Giving permission for officers to work a second job is definitely not a good solution. Why should any employee have to work twelve to eighteen hours a day to make a decent living? When are these officers to spend quality time with their families?
I opine that an investigation be conducted so as to learn what is really going on at the PD. It really bothers me that the chief cop has not presented any type of plan or goal to retain his officers. Is he even aware of the morale situation in the department? Has he met with or even talked to his managers or rank and file? Does he have any idea of exactly what is going on at the PD? Mr. Mayor, a former top cop seems at a loss for words or actions. Since he is the Chief’s boss, I should think he would see that Lansdowne does the job he is being paid to do and one factor involved is responsibility for retaining good personnel by handling the matter and stop going on drive alongs with cameramen and reporters.
If the mayor or the chief cannot do their job then it is time for the City Council to take matters into hand.