Commission won’t solve city police woes

The editorial, “Reconsider, Mayor Pugh” (March18), falls short of the mark. I agree that in no way, shape or manner can we have the current police commissioner conduct the investigation of police corruption in the Baltimore City Police Department. However, what I do not agree with is your position that supports Sen. Bill Ferguson’s suggestion to create an independent commission to deal with the matter.

What you do not understand is the difficulty in the task of finding a chairperson to head the commission — someone who would have the trust and confidence of the taxpayers of Baltimore. Not only would this person have to be of great integrity, but he or she would also need to possess expertise in the strategy of ethical police enforcement policies. In my book, the best person who meets these criteria is William Bratton, the former police commissioner of New York City and Los Angeles. He often appears on NBC and MSNBC commenting on criminal justice policy, domestic intelligence gathering and the role of law enforcement in counterterrorism.

Back in February, I called on Mayor Catherine Pugh to bring on Mr. Bratton, asserting that he is the man for the job of straightening out the Baltimore City Police Department. My position has not changed. If anything, I am more convinced it is the step to take. Let your readers and the taxpayers of Baltimore decide what is in their best interests. Could it be that maybe I am correct and the editors of The Baltimore Sun are wrong?

One thing for sure, the corruption in the Baltimore Police Department along with the murders and killings will continue every day until we stop taking adhesive bandage approaches and take the bold measures that are called for.