notinkokomo

In recent weeks, the Kokomo Perspective has published several articles that serve to shed some light on problems within the KPD.

The controversy began with twin suspensions... and later demotions, it seems... of two very experienced and well-educated senior Police officers after they took evidence of department wrongdoing to Federal authorities.

The two officers have now been sitting at home for several months while a supposed 'inquiry' takes place and waiting their turn before the Kokomo Board of Works... or a Court of Law.

Meanwhile, their information has spawned other Federal investigations which may-or-may-not ever have satisfactory results. The Feds are purposely quiet about such matters.

In my view, Chief Rob Baker is not a bad guy... he was just placed into a position for which he was ill-equipped and unsupported... eerily similar to previous Chiefs during the McKillip reign.

Baker walked into a Police Department enthralled with controversy, and dissension, and even perhaps corruption. He simply had no idea how in the World to deal with it all. He didn't have the experience, or the training, or the formal education to conquer KPD's demons.

The Mayor, similarly disadvantaged... was no help at all.

So... now.. the once-proud Kokomo Police Department faces a cross-roads. The direction chosen has major implications for the City, its Police Department, and the citizens they're sworn to protect.

Quite honestly, and directly due to this controversy... the citizens have lost faith in their Police Department. I hear it in emails, I saw it on our previous forum posts, and I even have personally spoken with folks who would swear the entire KPD is crooked.

Of course, that's not the case. The KPD still has a MAJORITY of very fine and dedicated professionals who go into your streets every day and try to make things right.

Baker, too, would just like to forget about the two officers supposed 'violations of policy' and go on, I suppose.

So one has to ask... why can't the KPD try to heal this wound rather than allowing a local newspaper to pick at sore scabs? Why are two of the KPD's most respected, well-educated, and experienced Police officers sitting at home while criminals rampage the streets? Why isn't someone 'fixing' this mess?

My guess is Rob Baker would like to... but he can't. He doesn't know how...and he's cow-towing to the Mayor's agenda (and who can guess what that might be).

Political agendas have no place in Law Enforcement, folks. Examples abound, from the ugly legacy of former Attorney General Janet Reno to wild corruption cases here in our own Hoosier state.

Citizens could care less who's sitting in the corner office when they need a cop who will defend them from the evils in our World. They need an officer they can trust, and respect, and even look up to.

At this odd point in history, the citizens in Kokomo don't have that security... and that problem needs remedied... soon.

How is this 'fixed'? Well, Kokomo has some very skilled cops hanging around (like Kirk, Davis, current and retired officers) who could put this train back on track and restore the Kokomo Police Department's image.

The question is... will Chief Baker and the Mayor listen?

NIK