The Truth About “Public Safety”, Part 4:

The Motivation for Cooperation

People who have followed the controversy surrounding the fire department since the arrival of city manager John Marquart will identify with the following excerpt from an article by Fire Chief Charles H. Rule, Manteca (CA) Fire Department:
“City governments are facing a financial crunch. Fire deaths and fire incidents have been drastically reduced, but are on the increase. The proposal to consolidate follows, and it becomes a political decision with the fire department being the sole opponent. A police chief appointed as public safety director, with a pay raise on the horizon and patrol officers about to receive bonuses for carrying gear in the back of their cruisers, is not usually a vocal adversary of the system.

"A chief administrative officer (CAO) could initiate the process under the guise of being creative and innovative. For a CAO who plans to change employment in the future, it could be an opportunity to enhance a resume -- public safety initiatives look good on paper. The public safety concept has accelerated mobility opportunities for some chief administrative officers. To further promote the public safety idea, some CAOs will impose a gag order on all negative comments on the concept by fire or police personnel. Professional, political and personal values enter into the process of accepting the concept, speaking out against it, or pursuing other employment."

Eerie, isn’t it?