Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Chief answers queries publicly

He defends his policing decision to the City Council.

By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published December 22, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Forced into a public debate he had hoped to avoid, police Chief Chuck Harmon defended to the City Council on Thursday his controversial decision to eliminate the city's 41 community police officers.

For more than an hour, council members questioned the change, the timing of the decision, as well as Harmon's reluctance to answer questions from a group of neighborhood leaders that assembled Wednesday.

Harmon agreed to answer questions one-on-one before the Council of Neighborhood Associations on Wednesday night, but did not want to speak in front of the whole group, he said. They had gathered to honor retiring Deputy Mayor Mike Dove, and Harmon said it was not appropriate to detract from that tribute.

"I stayed until about 9:30, 10 o'clock last night," Harmon told the City Council on Thursday. "I answered every question that was asked."

Council member Jamie Bennett questioned the timing of the decision, which comes as the City Council is about to launch a management review of the police department, including the community policing initiatives.

Harmon, along with Mayor Rick Baker, had disagreed with the council's choice of consultant to perform the review.

"It raised more suspicions than quelled any," Bennett said of the timing.

Council member John Bryan suggested delaying the study for a year, because the change could leave the study useless.

"We got cut off," Bryan said.

Last week, Harmon said he was transferring the department's community police officers to other jobs and revamping the program. More officers will receive training in community policing, Harmon said, and three community service phone lines will be created for residents to report issues.

Harmon said the new program expands what's now in place, though community leaders have criticized it as a farce.

"I'm sure you're probably getting some concerns and questions from your constituents," Harmon said. "I've let everyone know this is not a council decision. In fact, it was my decision."

The new program will have to win residents over, council members said. Harmon asked for patience.

"That (community police officer) is like a part of people's family," said council member Rene Flowers.

[Last modified December 22, 2006, 06:55:28]