Incredible as it sounds this number came from Chief Harden and this doesn’t include the cost of taking a contingent of Officers, the Police Chief, and Mayor Ridenour back east for the accreditation process. According to Chief Harden it cost taxpayers $5,000 to enroll in CALEA (Commission for Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) and a full time emloyee at an approximate cost of $89,000 an entity which most of law enforcement in California and the country ignore. But here in Modesto apparently we seek validation no matter the cost. Does having a CALEA accreditation improve police training or shorten response time? This ongoing yearly cost of $89,000 is just about what it costs to hire another officer. The only visit that CALEA made to Modesto resulted in the public demonstrating their concerns regarding the shooting of citizens by police, and ended when Chief Harden read from a prepared statement and threatened to arrest the protesters. It appeared that night Chief Harden didn’t want the CALEA representatives to know how the people of Modesto felt in regard to recent police shootings. The over-riding question in the minds of many is: Do we want this accreditation from CALEA or do we want another Officer on the street maintaining law and order? We ask the questions: Will that piece of paper respond to a citizens request for help? Will it apprehend a robber or a rapist? Will you be safer on the streets or in your beds at night? We believe the answer in NO. |
