Mayor Meets With Sheriff, Calls For Unity Between Departments
July 7, 2017 at 4:44 p.m.
By Joe Thallemer-
The challenge is to repair the erosion of trust and respect that has occurred within our law enforcement community. The broad range of opinions that have been shared on the subject is clearly indicative of the discord that exists.
Just last week, I sat down with Sheriff Rocky Goshert. We both discussed our commitment to work together to seek unity by restoring and enhancing communication and respect amongst the departments.
We agreed on the next steps that will be necessary to confront the issues that have negatively impacted our law enforcement community. It will not be easy. There will be roadblocks. Misinformation, lack of information and unfounded rumors need to be sorted out.
Honest discussion of those issues must occur before we can move ahead. Only then can we begin to work together to rebuild a professional relationship that will enhance the productivity of both departments for the protection of the citizens of our entire community.
I pledged both my support and the full cooperation of the Warsaw Police Department to do whatever is necessary to identify the conflict points, discover lessons learned and move ahead. Going forward, it will take a very strong leadership on both sides to piece things back together.
As progress is made, I would also propose that a small group of elected city and county officials meet regularly to keep the process on task and accountable.
From my perspective and aside from our recent law enforcement issues, the city has always enjoyed a strong, productive relationship with the county. Our Department of Public Works and the County Highway Department regularly work together and share resources for the benefit of our citizens. The Office of the Clerk-Treasurer and their counterparts at the county also work together on a daily basis to assist each other as needed for the benefit of the taxpayers. The Department of Building and Planning and the County Planning Office share technical information and resources on a regular basis.
For the past 6-1/2 years as mayor, I have enjoyed a very positive relationship with the county commissioners and council. I try to attend commissioner meetings regularly as my schedule permits to demonstrate my interest and concern for county issues. As a result, I have maintained productive open dialogue with the commissioners on matters that require problem solving. Even over the past year, we have not shied away from discussing the difficult issues we are faced with today.
Recreating a unified law enforcement community is critical to the safety and well being of our citizens. In the midst of the methamphetamine and opioid epidemics that are threatening our community, it is critical that our drug enforcement efforts be unified, coordinated and fully supportive of one other to effectively combat this menace.
Our community has been blessed with prosperity and growth because we work together for the mutual benefit of all. I believe that none of us doubt the importance of unity.
The challenge is to repair the erosion of trust and respect that has occurred within our law enforcement community. The broad range of opinions that have been shared on the subject is clearly indicative of the discord that exists.
Just last week, I sat down with Sheriff Rocky Goshert. We both discussed our commitment to work together to seek unity by restoring and enhancing communication and respect amongst the departments.
We agreed on the next steps that will be necessary to confront the issues that have negatively impacted our law enforcement community. It will not be easy. There will be roadblocks. Misinformation, lack of information and unfounded rumors need to be sorted out.
Honest discussion of those issues must occur before we can move ahead. Only then can we begin to work together to rebuild a professional relationship that will enhance the productivity of both departments for the protection of the citizens of our entire community.
I pledged both my support and the full cooperation of the Warsaw Police Department to do whatever is necessary to identify the conflict points, discover lessons learned and move ahead. Going forward, it will take a very strong leadership on both sides to piece things back together.
As progress is made, I would also propose that a small group of elected city and county officials meet regularly to keep the process on task and accountable.
From my perspective and aside from our recent law enforcement issues, the city has always enjoyed a strong, productive relationship with the county. Our Department of Public Works and the County Highway Department regularly work together and share resources for the benefit of our citizens. The Office of the Clerk-Treasurer and their counterparts at the county also work together on a daily basis to assist each other as needed for the benefit of the taxpayers. The Department of Building and Planning and the County Planning Office share technical information and resources on a regular basis.
For the past 6-1/2 years as mayor, I have enjoyed a very positive relationship with the county commissioners and council. I try to attend commissioner meetings regularly as my schedule permits to demonstrate my interest and concern for county issues. As a result, I have maintained productive open dialogue with the commissioners on matters that require problem solving. Even over the past year, we have not shied away from discussing the difficult issues we are faced with today.
Recreating a unified law enforcement community is critical to the safety and well being of our citizens. In the midst of the methamphetamine and opioid epidemics that are threatening our community, it is critical that our drug enforcement efforts be unified, coordinated and fully supportive of one other to effectively combat this menace.
Our community has been blessed with prosperity and growth because we work together for the mutual benefit of all. I believe that none of us doubt the importance of unity.
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