Clarksburg Exponent Telegram
NEWS
GUIDES
NIE
ADS
CIRC.
LINKS
HOME MAIL

TODAY'S
NEWS

LOCAL NEWS
SPORTS
BIRTHS
OBITUARIES
CALENDAR
OPINIONS
COLUMNS
LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR


News Search

WEB LINKS
FUN LINKS
Kid Stuff, Museums to visit, Games to play
NEWSPAPERS
IN EDUCATION

For Students and Teachers
NEWS LINKS
Newspapers, Politics, Space, Comics, Weather, Sports, Internet, Lottery
REFERENCE PAGE
Reference Starting Points, Dictionaries, U.S. Government Sources, Other Sites, Universities and Colleges, News
REVIEWS
Books and Music
WEST VIRGINIA LINKS

THIS SITE IS
BEST VIEWED
WITH THE
LATEST VERSION OF:
msexplorer
INTERNET EXPLORER

CORRECTIONS
AND ADDITIONS

Copyright ©
Clarksburg Publishing
Company 2000

Clarksburg
Publishing Company,
P.O. Box 2000,
Clarksburg, WV 26302
USA

CURRENT STORIES


State police, citizens' concerns have common ground

Among the many different careers in public service, police work is second to none in the demands this calling places on the individual. It requires a steady and disciplined personal life, coping with danger that often lurks behind even a mundane assignment, and the long hours required to do the work thoroughly. Police officers must be ready to offer these qualities on a moment's notice.

At the same time, it's a profession that affects the average citizen at moments when he or she may be most vulnerable. A free society rightfully expects its public servants to act in the public interest, and to enforce the law with the highest regard for the civil rights of all parties. That is the cutting edge that separates us from the many governments that impose their will on their people.

Some state lawmakers have called for the creation of a citizens' review board to examine alleged cases of state police misconduct. Among the groups favoring such a board is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Governor Cecil Underwood's proposal to establish a $1.5 million overtime pay fund for veteran state police officers is also before the Legislature. The governor's proposal is targeted to encourage the state's best officers to stay in the force. Given the acknowledged demands of the job, it's not a totally unreasonable proposal.

State police superintendent Gary Edgell favors the overtime idea and has opposed the citizens' board.

We strongly recommend paying attention to the concerns of both the police and the public. We greatly value the contributions of a competent, well-trained state police. We should also recognize that every public service organization can profit from listening to the concerns of the citizenry.

We hope the Legislature can be attentive to both these concerns.

-- Harry M. Fox

Telegram editorial board member

SUBSCRIPTION
INFORMATION
(print version)

CLASSIFIED ADS

ADVERTISING
RATES
HARRISON COUNTY
RELOCATION GUIDE
News Search