Keep mayor in charge of Bradenton police. It’s no job for the city council | Letter to the editor

As a retired police chief, I am opposed to one of the proposed city charter revision issues. I refer to the revision that would remove the city’s police department from the mayor’s oversight, and give the entire five-member city council the shared duty of overseeing the Bradenton Police Department.

Our mayor has recently vetoed this measure, wisely, but it continues to be a point of discussion.

As a police officer, supervisor and administrator, I have worked under both systems, first where the police department reported to the city council. This was a confusing, low-accountability system. Can you imagine working in a system where three of your five bosses set direction on an issue this week; a different combination of three of five decide something on a related issue next week; and a different three of five decide something the following week? If there are problems or issues, who is held responsible? When major law enforcement issues arise, and instant response or guidance are needed, how long does it take to get a “decision-by-committee”?

At our city in Michigan, our citizens changed from the rule-by-committee (city council oversight) system to a strong mayor system, with the police chief and the police department reporting directly to the mayor. It was a big improvement. Accountability was clear, things got done and the citizens were better served.

My opinion is that our mayor, police chief and police department are doing excellent work to protect and serve all of our Bradenton citizens. Their community policing model is responsive and caring, and encourages communities to get to know our police officers and to work with them to solve problems.

If this proposed charter revision results in a public vote, I will be voting NO, to reject the proposed system of removing police oversight from our mayor.

Bruce L. Benson

Bradenton

This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 4:39 PM.