The thick blue line
Many things come to mind when I hear the word “Professional Courtesy.” Realtors not jumping on a listing that they know another Realtor is interested in… Another hair stylist’s clientele… I can go on and on…
Now my personal definition of “Professional Courtesy” in the law enforcement community is that when you are in my (our) jurisdiction you conduct yourself in a manner so that your behavior doesn’t require that I (they) come into contact with you.
Chief Nichols’ definition seems to be vastly different. SPD boasts a zero tolerance policy on DUIs and being a college town this isn’t uncommon. I would venture to say that an overwhelming amount of their funds comes from DUIs. That is unless you have a badge apparently. Not only was Mr. Alexander double the legal limit per Chief Nichols but he was swerving erratically all over Highway 12 the night he was pulled over. Chief Nichols used the term “Professional Courtesy” for letting him go. The most disturbing thing about this whole fiasco is that if a public records request had not been made, SPD would have successfully swept this under the rug and the public would never have known. So if Mr. Alexander had killed or injured someone during his night out on our town would he have used “Professional Courtesy” to pay for all the funeral and medical expenses? Or does that not fall under his version of the term?
It’s 2018 and we are still stuck in the “Good Ole Boy” days where double and triple standards are applied to those who wear the crown — errr — I mean badge. Of course this is not the majority of law enforcement officers, but such a perception can break the public trust.
This isn’t the first time the city/county has “modified” the rules to accommodate someone.
The city of Starkville has even gone as far as to grant a well known establishment in Starkville “resort status” for years so they could leave their doors open till 3 a.m. The catch? It’s not a resort and has not had a golf course on its property in almost a decade. My point being is that the DUI money is far too pretty for the city/county to turn down.
So are we really surprised when we find out that not just SPD but the entire city as a whole sweeps the safety of our citizens under the rug for gain of tax and DUI money? I am sure this is not confined to our town, but that does not make it right.
No community wants an “Us vs Them” mentality between law enforcement (of whom I am a supporter) and the citizens.
I believe our city leaders need to take a hard look at both policy and those in authority whom we trust to enforce the law in as impartial manner as possible.
James P. Updike Jr.
Starkville
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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