Letter to Editor
 
It is my opinion that lowering standards for employment with SPD is doing a dis-service to all concerned.
This action not only will probably cause  the DOJ along with  Mr. Merrick Bob and his band of merrymen to remain in Seattle at absorbent cost to the taxpayers to see  that this change is  carried out as they have (unjustly in my and others opinions) determined that neither the Mayor, the City Council or SPD itself capable of the job.

One can certainly understand  and agree that the SPD should reflect all members of our community.
That being said, I disagree that we need to make changes that are not necessary and lower standards.  Mayor McGinn has said he wants the SPD to "reflect the community it serves."

Admirable. Is this saying there are NO APPLICANTS from different ethnic backgrounds or cultural backgrounds that can pass the existing requirements to make law enforcement a career? Definitely not true.  Take a look at the current make-up of SPD.  

The public does not want to call 911 and have a tattoo, nose ring, ear  ring, dental ornamented person show up. Neither do I want someone who has had violations of the law forgiven just to meet a "quota."
Background checks should remain as present...... How about the lie detector test? Forgiven if the needle jumps a few times?

Again, I agree that SPD should reflect all members of our community. However, we have rapists, wife beaters ,over extended folks that could be ripe for needing cash, con men etc in our community but they should not be in uniform.

Current hiring standards are not the problem at SPD.
 
Harriet Benjamin