PERKINS SACRIFICES POLICE CHIEF IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE HIMSELF
6-20-07
POLICE CHIEF MARTIN RESIGNS
In an effort to save his disorganized and inept administration, Selma Mayor James Perkins, Jr.,announced the resignation of Police Chief Jimmy Martin. Under fire from most of the employees of his own department, citizens and City Council members, Martin resigned. However, most of the responsibility for the mess in the Police Department lies not at the feet of Martin, but at the feet of his micro-managing boss, Mayor Perkins.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE MAYOR AND MARTIN HAVE CONCOCTED A SCHEME WHEREBY MARTIN WILL REMAIN CHIEF UNTIL PERKINS DOES A NATION WIDE SEARCH FOR A NEW CHIEF. This is a big, big mistake for Perkins to make. Perkins obviously thinks Martin's resignation will quell the criticism of him, Martin, and the SPD,BUT HE IS MISTAKEN. MARTIN SHOULD RESIGN IMMEDIATELY.
When Perkins became Mayor, he brought with him the cultural mentality that the police were the enemies of his supporters. He has treated the Police Department like "the red-headed step-child" of this administration. He has neglected the number one priority of City government, WHICH IS PUBLIC SAFETY, while giving his attention to pie in the sky social programs, which time and again have proven ineffective in reducing crime in any community.
It was unfair to SERGEANT JIMMY MARTIN to expect him to be an effective leader as Chief of the Selma Police Department. While we have repeatedly called for Martin's resignation as Police Chief because we do not believe he is qualified by training, education, or disposition to be Chief, we have also said we do not think he is an evil person. No one but an egomaniac like Perkins would take a Sergeant, WHO HAD NEVER COMMANDED OFFICERS, and make him the Chief of the Police Department.
Once Martin was Chief, Perkins treated MARTIN LIKE A SECOND CLASS CITIZEN. As Police Chief, Martin was paid $50,000 a year and never received a raise. Meanwhile, the head of social programs, Charlotte Griffeth, WITH NO EXPERIENCE IN THE AREA, was brought into City government at a salary of $60,000 a year. City Attorney Jimmy Nunn, who has cost the city thousands of dollars by losing cases, received an increase in salary to over $69,000 a year. Even an Internet Department was established with the director making more than $54,000 a year. People as inept as the Personnel Director and Finance Director were making more than the Police Chief of the City. THAT TELLS YOU HOW MUCH PERKINS THINKS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. Our opinion is that THE POLICE CHIEF IS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN CITY GOVERNMENT AND SHOULD BE PAID AS SUCH.
Under Perkins and Martin, CRIME HAS SOARED OUT OF CONTROL. Robberies, burglaries, and petty thefts have reached epidemic proportions. Drugs, guns, and loud noise are everywhere. The Police Department is divided, demoralized, and in disarray. Most experienced officers have quit because of the lack of leadership by Perkins and Martin. At least 30 people have left the department since Martin became Chief.
HOWEVER, IN THE END, Perkins sacrificed Martin to save his own political skin. To have any chance to be re-elected next year, HE MUST MEND FENCES WITH HANK AND ROSE SANDERS. Rose has been particularly vocal about some of the OUT OF CONTROL OFFICERS that Martin has hired. It was rumored that SHE WAS GOING TO BEGIN TO PICKET THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON THURSDAY CALLING FOR THE RESIGNATION OF MARTIN. That probably influenced Perkins decision to remove Martin and pacify her. We hope she will CONTINUE HER EFFORTS TO RID THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF SOME OF THE UNQUALIFIED OFFICERS MARTIN HIRED.
Further, the current Police Evaluation had revealed the depth of despair in the department and animosity toward Martin from the remaining members of the Department. The Evaluators have heard officer after officer blast Martin for LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND NOT BACKING THEM UP.
IN THE END, MARTIN HAD TO BE SACRIFICED TO TRY TO SAVE PERKINS political SKIN! It goes to show again that no matter how loyal (Martin) is to the King, that the King will DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY, AND SACRIFICE WHOMEVER, TO SAVE HIMSELF.
We wish former Chief Martin well in his future endeavors. As much as we think he should have resigned, his, UNFORTUNATELY, IS NOT THE RESIGNATION THAT WE WISHED HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED TODAY.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PRO FORMA LETTERS THE MAYOR WROTE FOR MARTIN AND HIM TO DISTRIBUTE TO THE PUBLIC. IF MARTIN'S CALL IS TO SERVE HIS CHURCH, AS HE STATES, HE NEEDS TO GO AND DO THAT AND RESIGN IMMEDIATELY. Perkins letter indicates HE IS STILL BLIND TO THE MAJOR CRIME AND DRUG PROBLEMS FACING THE CITY. Read the letters and make your own decision.
