RUNYON INVESTIGATION: IF YOU NEED BRAIN SURGERY, DON'T HIRE A BLACKSMITH
We don't know whether the Hannibal City Police Chief did anything wrong or not. This Blog claims no opinion as to whether he should keep his job (although a good police administrator is a precious asset to local government).
Here's what we do know. Investigating police officers for job misconduct is not like any other kind of investigation. Police fitness for duty and discipline is a multimillion dollar industry for good reasons. For a City Manager to think he knows how to do it without flaw is plain silly.
I'm sure the Hannibal C/M had good intentions. So what? DeCartes accurately noted "The Road to Hell is paved with good intentions." I think it was Henry Ford who first said: "How is it that there was no time to do it right but there's plenty of time do it over?"
posted by UMRBlog @ 17:38
4 comments
4 Comments:
Not taking sides on this battle. Don't know the inside politics or reasons behind this decision. This was probably handled the wrong way. Just wanted to note that sometimes a new perspective can be quite helpful.
Hannibal has had a MAJOR drug and gang problem for well over ten years now. The problem does not seem to have gotten better. Maybe it is time for a different look at how things are done in their community. Though it started out wrong it could have a positive effect on the entire tri-states region.
Does anyone know what it is specifically that Runyon is accused of, besides "official misconduct". Are there any jounalists at HHQA, WGEM, H-Whig or Courier-Post worth their salt that can get in there and do some good investigative reporting on this situation? We all want to know. Also, if anyone knows any info in regards to what Runyon is supposed to have done, please reply.
In Hannibal, they were all recently outraged at the study done on the community that "black-washed" them so bad, for crime, drugs, etc, study said the crime there was worse than in some major metro areas, according to statistics. Why would you then cut the head off your police force? Just curious, anyone, please reply!!
Anon 904,
If the Chief of Police was not effective and it led to an increase in crime in Hannibal, then the City Counsel can have a swell debate about it. To terminate the guy for some undisclosed "policy" violations is not any kind of answer.
I've never seen a problem of lawlessness get solved by unlawful behavior. There is a certain way police officers must be investigated, as a matter of law. It takes knowledge and talent, the kind you go hire if you don't already have it. Otherwise the employer ends up breaking the law.
Hannibal's a lovely place and I hope it does well in the future as well.
Anon 1018,
I don't want anyone speculating about the charges in here. It is my belief I know what they were but it would just make this secret inquiry worse than it already is to repeat it in the blogosphere.
Your post still has great value because it shows the frustration of the citizens around here with the secret, slow-moving, sometimes leaking process.
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