Ms. Collier,
I think you have definitely read the City Charter incorrectly. Chapter 3, section 4
of the City Charter provides the executive committee is responsble for the appointment
and removal of the police chief. The executive committee includes the mayor, the city
council president and up to three other city council members chosen by the council.
Any appointment or removal must further be approved by a majority of
the city council under both Ch. 3, sec. 4, and Ch. 6, sec. 1. The city council can
also set forth the procedures to be followed in selecting a police chief.
The city council is therefore involved both directly and indirectly in the hiring and
firing of the police chief. Although the Mayor has ultimitate authority over
day-to-day decision making in the police department, the city council can have
significant policy influence through the budget and other resolutions. All city
council candidates should therefore be questioned about their perspectives on the
police
department.
Jordan Kushner
Powderhorn
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> The way the city charter is written, the Chief of Police is responsible only
> to the Mayor. Please remember, the City Council members have little if any
> authority over the police. Therefore, the only candidates that should be
> questioned on the matter of police should be the mayoral candidates. They
> are the only ones who will be able to make any changes.
>
> Karen Collier
> Linden Hills
>
