Commissioner banter
Published Saturday, July 19, 2008
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To the editor:
As I’ve read the newspaper and online banter about the abrupt replacement of the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, I feel compelled to share my view from 14 years “beside” the badge.
No state agency, or employee of that agency, is going to tell the public (via the press, etc.) that there are serious problems within their department. The last thing someone wants to be labeled is a boat-rocker.
In every department, you have the good ol’ boys who still want things done “the way they have been for 50 years” butting heads with more progressive, open-minded, forward thinking employees that can make things more efficient.
Public Safety is not a dairy co-op that might turn a profit on a good day. It will ALWAYS require more resources for the residents of the state. The Alaska State Troopers have some serious issues with staffing related to a number of fiscally solvable problems.
In addition, many department facilities are old and inefficient, built in the ’70s by some guy from California with a pile of 2-by-4s, looking to make a quick buck and then get out before it turned cold.
Sometimes when you are very sick, you come to the point where you know you have to bite the bullet and go to the hospital — regardless of the bill — or you might not be around anymore.
The Department of Public Safety is sick, and while troopers are nervous about the abrupt, unexplained change in command, they really don’t care who is driving the ambulance. They just need to get to the hospital.
The governor talks about a “different direction.”
To troopers, they either have the support to do their job or they don’t. It’s not a highway with various off-ramps to take.
For the sake of your safety and mine, I hope the new commissioner can hide Palin’s coupon clippers. Then maybe “D” detachment can start with restaffing the Fairbanks DUI team.
Community Discussion
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Many public safety departments, police and fire, across this state are "sick" and need to go to the hospital.
What the author failed to mention is that ultimately, the person driving the "ambulance" is a politican, and they steer that ambulance where ever they or the public want them to, and it's seldom to a hospital.
I like and support Gov. Palin. I don't know the in's and out's of her release of Commish Moneghan (sp?), but I find myself hoping his release is because he was truly a problem, not because he was a guy that was willing to stand up for his people and say things that politicians don't want to hear.
oh - we definitely need more of the DUI team....
maybe some of those fabled DRE's also....
not
Or fill in your choice, akguy.....Rural troopers, wildlife troopers, patrol troopers, investigators. I don't think theirs a single "area" of troopers in Fairbanks that is fully staffed. Not surprising since we have almost 60 funded-but-empty positions across the state.
With your attitude, kindly don't kvetch when they are too short staffed to respond to that burglary up at your house.....
Some of us are happy that there are guys out there keeping drunk drivers off the roads.
Monehan's attitude is what I hate about the police and fire union types. HIS people come before the public...always.
Clearly the Troopers did not take seriously the threats imposed by the Trooper Wooten to Gov Palen and her family. The guy got a 10 day suspension for tasing a 10 year old, drinking on the job, and various other issues that he was found guilty of. How can the public respect a public safety organization that isn't willing to police it's own?
Why the Governer may have taken an approach that some my view of an abuse of her power, tell me what were her options? The Comissioner and State Troopers obviously were not taking care of the situation.
If you were in her shoes what would you do? Let her sister, her father, and herself be at risk from this screwball? The Governer showed that she was human and frankly that is what I like about her.
I love all the talk about more Troopers, more money for Troopers, etc. But remember there's a domino effect. That means more prosecutors, more money for prosecutors, more court staff, etc. Having more law enforcement officers out there doesn't actually do anything to curb crime without increasing other public sectors of law enforcement.
How cute...BigMike has a crush on the Governor!
Who would guess, a FFD union member sticking for a low life trooper. The brotherhood runs deep.
Hey BigMike: I'll tell you a secret. I think Sarah's cute as well. Should we fight over her, or join forces and take this up with Todd?
Oh, wait, there's my wife! I gotta hang up!
Dr. C.
I'm sticking up for Monegan? I don't think so. Good managers know how to manage and support those who work for them. They also know how to appropriately discipline them when they get out of line.
From what I understand, Monegan is strong on supporting those he oversee's, but it appears he's weak on discipline.
It appears Wooten should have been terminated long before this issue with the Governor ever arose. It was Monegan's job to insure Wooten's threats against the Governor were thoroughly investigated and he be appropriately dealt with, up to and including termination. It doesn't appear as though Monegan dleved very deeply into the situation.
Unions should never have to defend employee's like Wooten once allegations are substantiated. However, they often end up doing so because the employee can then turn around and sue the union for a lack of legal support. It's rather sad and disgusting to be honest.
BigMike, you assume things more than just about anyone I know. You should really kick the habit, it smells.
It looks like nobody reads anymore. Sigh.
Wooten's investigation was conducted long before Monegan took office. Palin wanted a "do-over" because she didn't like the result the first time. That's illegal, Sarah.
And BigMike, you can learn things by reading. Read before you spread the insults around so readily, this is a forum for intelligent debate, not personal attacks.
In every batch of apples, in every office place, in every profession, you will find a few that either slipped through the cracks or developed into what you'd rather not have around. All that we can do is try our best to screen, train and if the need arises, discipline those that are less than quality individuals. I trust that the Troopers did the right thing when they investigated Trp Wooten for all of the allegations. Call me an optimist, but until I can see differently, I'm going to keep my faith in the system that protects us all on a daily basis.
As for funding, we are the richest state in the country with outstanding resources, both natural and human, and there is no reason that we should ever have to fight to keep a healthy budget for those people that willingly risk their lives to protect ours. Speaking as someone who has received many a speeding ticket from our boys (and gals) in blue, there is plenty to keep them running from sun-up to sun-down. Lets get more resources steared their way and keep our state a wonderful place to live.
And to any Troopers or police that read this, you're more than welcome to ticket me for speeding any day... You're doing an outstanding job!
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