This past week is buzzing with the latest “breaking news” that the El Cajon Police Department is thriving well on a quota system and giving gifts to those who reach these goals. El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells said in an interview that he does have full faith in the Department, but is requesting a full investigation.
This past week is buzzing with the latest “breaking news” that the El Cajon Police Department is thriving well on a quota system and giving gifts to those who reach these goals. El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells said in an interview that he does have full faith in the Department, but is requesting a full investigation.
At this time, I just do not buy it. Throughout my life, police officers have been a strong influence in my life, and I know first-hand that yes, there are certain expectations in performance. But I have several problems with this festering story.
First, I do not like anonymous sources. If someone is willing to spill the beans about anything going on inside, then they should have the brass badge to stand up and let it be known whom they are. A poor illustration and a couple of anonymous quotes do not make a story. Facts do.
Police officer lay their lives on the line every day to have hacker headlines hanging over their heads. I find it a disgrace to my profession as the lack of evidence in this investigative story is discrediting the police officers of El Cajon. This is a beautiful city in many areas, but it is also well known for its drugs, crime and dangerous streets. And the officers here do it willingly and in comparison to other departments and dangerous jobs are severely underpaid for the duties they perform.
I need hard evidence in order to believe the allegations are true, and so should everyone else. A decision cannot be made on such minimal facts and a few quotes from “local experts” who say what it may and may not be.
And honestly, Starbucks cards? Stop the presses.
There are much more important things to deal with in this city than this.
From what I have seen so far, this may be no more than camaraderie bantering or a schematic drawing to prove a point. It in no way shows me that the Department is doing anything wrong. For all I know it could just be one unhappy cop trying to stir things up. That would be a sad thing in itself, but many have seen this type of behavior, regardless of the workplace.
So I full heartedly give my support to the El Cajon Police Department. In my dealings with them they have been nothing but professional, whether I am speaking with them on the record or seeing them out on my beat. They have a strong presence in El Cajon and deserve our respect and gratitude for doing everything possible that they can with limited resources for this area.
If proven wrong, it will have to be done with facts and people that are willing to go on the record.
Anything other than that is no more than tabloid news.
