Volatility in leadership positions snarls progress

There have been six different people leading the Trenton Police Department under Mayor Reed Gusciora. Period.

Anyone who fudges this reality should answer this one question — Do you not understand math?

Only in Trenton can an argument erupt about counting from one to six. Any reasonable person understands that volatility in leadership positions whether the topic on the table covers police departments, corporate front offices or car washes, causes disturbance and uncertainty through the ranks.

In cities overrun by crime, the most significant appointment made by any mayor involves the selection of a police director.

Gusciora flopped out of the gate when he tabbed retired police officer Carol Russell for the position. She lacked qualifications necessary for this crucial position.

Happy that a retired police officer, who lost his anticipated opportunity to lead the police force when his mayoral candidate Paul Perez flamed in a runoff against Gusciora, still cares deeply about the city, even though he resides elsewhere.

Apparently, old police officers never retire, they just continue to disrupt, putting their faith and following in male directors, preferably Caucasian.

For the record, whether the person in question ranks as a police officer, religious leader or head of any city organization — driving home out of Plantation Trenton to an outof-town residence exists as a luxury.

Incredibly, certain persons ran former police Director Joseph Santiago off city premises because he had no established residency here.

Once ousted, these same individuals helped rewrite the books to make residency a non-issue for cabinet members. They alleged all the better help resides elsewhere.

Again, Trenton residents should consider dismantling our police department for the Camden option. Since people swear that more police deters crime — a ginormous lie — then the Camden Option could add approximately 150 officers to the city force.

The City of Camden disbanded its police force in 2012, converting it to the Camden Metro Division of the Camden County Police Department.

Hundreds of officers were terminated but reapplied following new training and psychological evaluations.

By the way, Latinos and African Americans comprise 80-percent of Camden’s newly formed police department.

Police departments derive success when officers are well-trained and when policies support innovative ways to connect with and protect communities.