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21 SEP 04: CODE OF SILENCE
Is he shy? Is he embarrassed about something? Why won't Columbus Police Chief Willie Dozier talk to TV stations on camera about his upcoming retirement? If his school district employee wife wants to write a statement for him to read, we won't object....
Chief Willie Dozier puzzled some local journalists Monday, by refusing to talk on tape about his retirement plans. Maybe he's following the example of that other law officer who's been in the news this year -- but why copy David Glisson?
Willie Dozier makes it sound like his departure October 31 is no big deal. But c'mon now - he's been in charge of one of Georgia's largest police forces for almost five years. And it's really not his fault if most of those officers moved to metro Atlanta for more money....
Blog reader Randy Robertson of the Fraternal Order of Police suggested Monday Willie Dozier's leaving because he hasn't been able to improve the police force. Columbus Council turned down one request for 25 new officers -- perhaps hoping 25 new neighborhoods would hold drug marches instead.
. It's interesting to compare the approach of some of the "top cops" in this area. Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones has been willing to talk with reporters for years, and handles it very well. Yet leading law officers in Columbus seem unwilling to go "on the record" unless their Miranda rights are read first.
Think about it - Police Chief Willie Dozier won't talk on TV about his retirement. Sheriff Ralph Johnson didn't want to comment much about the Kenneth Walker case. So it's no wonder when Marshal Ken Suddeth announced the acquisition of
new weapons, some Columbus Councilors demanded an investigation.
The retirement announcement by Chief Willie Dozier raises questions about his successor. Does Mayor Bob Poydasheff promote from within the force? Does he conduct a national search for a chief, which has caused controversy in Montgomery? Or does the Mayor simply post something at ChattahoocheeHelpWanted.com?
If Mayor Poydasheff chooses a chief from within the Columbus Police Department, the top contender could be Assistant Chief Rick Boren. That choice has one hidden advantage - the fact that wife Nancy Boren works at the Election Board, and the Mayor's term is up in two years.
One issue which could bubble up in the search for a police chief is the race issue. Willie Dozier is the first African-American chief in Columbus history. Will civil rights groups call "even up," and demand that job stay African-American for the next 165 years?
BLOG UPDATE: Monday was a day to bask in the glow of Kansas's big double-overtime soccer win over Auburn. But two things tempered my enthusiasm. It was a very busy work day - and besides, practically no one around me cared.
In our last posting I mentioned the sign at the entrance to Auburn's soccer complex - where no food, drinks, pets or weapons were allowed. Yet a few people brought in large cups of soda, and one person carried in a chihuahua! So much for today's college students being more conservative and traditional....
One of the few Kansas fans with me in the crowd at Sunday's women's soccer game planned the trip to Auburn long ago. He lives near Fort Walton Beach, Florida - so he was grateful his home escaped serious damage from Hurricane Ivan. By comparison, Pensacola may gather enough wood to set a world record for the biggest marshmallow roast.
After Kansas beat Auburn in the second overtime, a Tiger fan along the rail next to the field twice said the Jayhawks "got lucky today." Lucky?! Those psychologists are right - grieving people go through a denial stage first.
Now let's face some other facts, which we learned Monday:
+ Gas stations around downtown Columbus hiked their prices about ten cents a gallon. Did THAT many people from Florida evacuate here, because of the hurricane?
+ On the other hand, area Dairy Queen restaurants are offering FREE ice cream cones today! All you have to do is make a donation to the Children's Miracle Network. If this seems unfair, remember something - hardly anyone leaves a tip at Dairy Queen the rest of the year.
+ Instant Message to Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle: The timing of your injury was really clever - but I regret to tell you Miss America 2005 Diedre Downs wants to be a CHILDREN'S doctor.
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