The way the search for a new Columbus police chief has gone over the past couple of days brings to mind the title of an old country song: “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven, But Nobody Wants To Die.”
That’s the way it often is with public officials, too. They extol the virtues of “transparency” to the high heavens … until it comes time to exercise it.
Two weeks ago, Columbus Mayor Keith Gaskin said the names of the three finalists chosen by the city’s search committee would be revealed to the public as soon as interviews with the candidates had been confirmed, likely in a matter of a few days. We’re still waiting.
The mayor’s position that citizens would be notified of the finalists has been consistent since the beginning of the search in August after Chief Fred Shelton retired under pressure.
Although the mayor did not follow through on releasing the names of the finalists once interviews were confirmed, he did say he planned to make them available to talk to citizens in reception when each candidate was in town for their interviews.
Tuesday evening, however, the council voted down the planned receptions in executive session. To his credit, the mayor promptly vetoed the 5-1 vote (Ward 6 councilwoman Jacqueline DiCicco opposed) and the planned reception was held Wednesday — sort of.
The first finalist interview was held Wednesday and the candidate, who turned out to be Natchez Police Chief Joseph Daughtry Sr., did meet with a handful of citizens and also a group of CPD officers but the media was excluded from both of those meetings.
Although the cat was quickly out of the bag as to the identity of the candidate, the mayor and council continued to decline to mention Daughtry by name when approached by the media.
The mayor said Daughtry got “cold feet” about having his name and resume released to the media following his interview, even though the media remains the best way to reach a broad audience of citizens.
This, too, is interesting. Most public officials wait until they actually have the job before giving the media the ol’ brush-off and “cold feet” isn’t an attribute to be admired in a public official.
But let’s not be too harsh here where Daughtry is concerned.
Three months after the city clearly announced it would reveal the identity of the finalists, the city changed its mind on the day of the first interview, saying it would be up to the candidates to decide whether they wanted their names to be made public. You can’t blame that on Daughtry: He was given an option and took it.
Anyone who has ever left one job for another recognizes it is a delicate process. You don’t want to jeopardize the job you have for a job you might have. In the private sector, this degree of secrecy isn’t frowned upon. After all, it’s not Joe Citizen’s concern as to who is being considered for assistant general manager at Acme Co.
But who is being considered for police chief is a different matter. That person is a public servant and citizens have a vested interest in who is being considered for the job.
Once the finalists have been chosen and interviews set, it’s time for the candidates to fish or cut bait.
The city has reneged on its promise to identify the finalist for police chief, instead leaving that decision to the finalists themselves.
Moreover, the city has again shown itself to be a disorganized mess when it comes to hiring.
We don’t know if the other candidates will decline to have their names released to the public, but we do know they have that option because while city officials love to talk about transparency, but are loath to exercise it.
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.