Someone needs to remind the Rogers Civil Service Commission what the definition of oversight is. And please do it a little more forcefully than the local papers did.
Oversight in this case is akin to the Court of Appeals. The commission is supposed to decide, after the fact, if the decisions made by the police and fire administration were fair and just. It is similar to the checks and balances that formed the basis of the federal government. And the check never comes before the action that prompts it.
It was a bit surprising when the Morning News printed this story telling how the commission wanted to give up some of its power, specifically the power to hear appeals. An officer must be suspended for three days before the commission is willing to hear the grievance.
Forgive my ignorance, but I thought suspensions could be based on and justified by numerous smaller disciplinary actions, such as letters of reprimand, that can no longer be appealed.
A day later, this story in the Daily Record detailed the commission's attempt to rob the police chief of his authority in hiring and promoting his officers. Then again, maybe a board comprised of people with undisclosed jobs (or, most likely, former jobs) has a better idea what makes a good cop or firefighter than the men hired to lead those departments.
That sounds more likely, so shame on Mayor Steve Womack for going out of his way to find the best qualified people to oversee the city's two largest departments when he would have been better served by choosing now-retired busybodies with an over-inflated sense of importance.
There may be some jealousy directing these actions. The "commission," which is listed on the city's web site as a "board," is one of the few attached to the city that does not regularly vote on issues coming before the city. The Parks Commission meets monthly, and its votes impact policy. The Planning Commission meets twice monthly, and its votes shape development within the city. The Civil Service Board meets as-needed, and that apparently isn't enough for commissioners worried about becoming irrelevant, even though they fill the same role they always have, at least until the new provisions are approved.
It is not the role of an independent, objective media to do anything "forcefully." In fact, it is our job not to do that. As the writer of The Morning News article in question, I would simply offer that my job is to inform. It is up to others, such as Silence Dogood, to publish the call to action, call to protest or whatever is deemed necessary.
ReplyDeleteJohn Henley Jr.