Authoritarians Against Authority

The Beacon Journal is doing its best to keep Slurred-Speechgate in the news. The latest reminder is a front pager that attempts to stir up controversy about reports filed by police officers that responded to the scene of last weekend's Mayoral incident (I think a crime actually occurred there too). The question begging to be asked is whether a request was made to change the official account of what happened last weekend.

The Mayor's slurred speech is now front and center.

One of the officers had complained to the FOP boss that he was asked to white-wash the aspects of the report that mention the Plusquellic's slurred speech and nasty demeanor. There has to be more pertinent questions asked about the latest dust up between the FOP and the Mayor. That's really what this about isn't it?

Yeah Yeah, we know Plusquellic is brash and even heavy handed. The mayor's prerogative is to make it clear he's the guy running the guy running (micromanaging) the show in Akron.

As I've pointed out I think most effective mayors do have these traits. Sure it rankles the members of the public safety forces when the guy they are directed to show disdain for bosses them around. I'm sure the rank and file have been given their marching orders - the mayor is not to be trusted. An age old fight continues.

What rankles me, a taxpayer, is the blatant disregard by police officers for the just order of things in city governance. The Beacon article made sure to point out that the officer who made the claim has an honorable military record with the U.S Marines. While that is impressive and much appreciated it's not an excuse to contravene the mandate our elected leaders have to act as the chief executive of the city. Even though it may hurt your feelings.

How can I say this politely? The union president is not the elected leader of Akron, the mayor is. As an police officer you don't have to like him but, you do have to respect his position. He put in office by a vote of the people (twice in less than two years). In fact I'm almost sure that the armed forces are tasked with protecting our system which is based on the rule of law.

To go further I'd guess that one of the tenets that people who've served in the armed forces take with them is respect for the chain of command. The stubborn fact here is that the dude at the top of the food chain is the mayor and you don't have to like him to serve and protect the rest of us. The FOP leadership should consider this principle, especially if they are going to foist that Safety Tax Levy on us this fall.