So David Roddy has all of a sudden decided to retire. In the words of that great philosopher Gomer Pyle, "Suhprise, suhprise." Thank you for your service, Mr. Roddy, and I hope you will consider running for Hamilton County Sheriff next year.
So now we turn to a "nationwide" search for a new police chief. Anybody want to wager what his or her's most important qualification will be? The NAACP is already requesting a veto on the process and I'm sure the BLM crew and the Concerned Clergy will quickly follow. We know what the new mayor promised, but quickly back tracked on during the campaign.
Even though I didn't vote for him in the Sheriff's race in 2018, I was impressed with Victor Miller, who is currently serving in the CPD.
Douglas Jones
Ooltewah
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Douglas, sometimes we tend to agree even when we disagree on one another's incoherent, rambling rants or the way we present our 'incoherent, rambling rants'. This is one of the few times I agree with you. Unless there's more going on we're not privy to, it makes no sense whatsoever for Chief Roddy to be replaced.
I've had to come to terms over the many years with many realities. One being, just because someone in charge looks like me doesn't guarantee they're going to do right by me or people who are the same as me. That they won't be used as a cover for injustices to continue as usual, and the 'usuals' who would normally speak out and against injustices will continue to do so, or hold their feet to the fire; because well, hey! They're one of us.
In fact some studies have shown the hiring of more people of color in policing won't solve the problems of police brutality, and in many instances police brutality against people of color actually increased. It's like a cover and pretense for police reform that's actually never intended to take place anyway.
Remember: "When the axe entered the forest the trees said, 'the handle is one of us!'"
Now, let's put the boxing gloves back on and start punching away. Just kiddin', sort of.
Brenda Washington
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Selah, Chief Roddy.
I wish you and yours the best.
Mickey Spence