Fred Neil 

     3rd District 

    Dover City Council President 

      Warning: City of Dover Police, One of the Best in the Nation, is Under Siege
      By Fred Neil, President of the Dover City Council 

     Virtually everything has evolved since my days as a newsman covering the Police and the Courts in the 1960s... except what makes police officers, men
     and women risk their lives to protect the public.
     How they do their job has changed to meet the concerns of society, the legal landscape and the rulings in the court. 

     The core of these men and women to protect and serve remains resolute.  Then and now, these officers have a passion
     to take bad people, who would harm good people, and put them in jail. 

     In the 21st Century, that passion now includes solving community problems. Continuously learning from unacceptable police actions in other States, the
     Dover PD obtains and delivers up-to-date training  on police procedures and best practices in law enforcement. Unlike many other agencies,
     Dover offers alternatives to arrest in low-level cases with particular emphasis on individuals needing Behavioral Health or Human Services.
 
      This city council has increased the authorized number of officers, which has permitted a very active and invaluable Community Policing Unit.
      More are planned for the revitalization of the city center. The city council has also committed to updating equipment for our officers to better be able to do their jobs.  

     Emerging technologies are making quite a difference in the mission of reducing crime and increasing public safety. Body and car cameras allow review
     by administrative staff as well as the courts to protect both the public and the officers. 

     Before the public can make any judgement on police performance , it needs “To Hear the Rest of the Story” before jumping to conclusions.
    The statistics on how good our Dover Police really is can be found month by month in the agendas in the packets the city council sees,
    available to anyone on the city web site. They solve a lot of crime, serve at-risk residents, engage the community and accept all of the dangers associated with the profession.
 
      The real human side is told in the Officer of the Quarter and Officer of the Year honors. The heroics of “serve and protect” are there in black and white by officers
       who are of all colors and cultures.

      I have heard directly from taxpaying residents who fear going downtown because of panhandlers and scary individuals, who want more police protection.
     No one has come to me about a complaint about police treatment or an individual police officer. 

     The city council hears from very vocal individuals, who pay little or no taxes, who consider themselves experts in the criminal justice system, who provide advice
     not practical for all of Dover. We have attacks by individuals on the police, the mayor and the council for political purposes because of their desire to run for higher office. 

     If these unworthy attacks on the police department are not bad enough, a new group has emerged to eat away at the valiant efforts of our honorable officers of the law.
    Neighbors Organized for Credibility and Accountability to Policing is seeking anonymous complaints against our   police force that can’t be verified.
    How can you exploit an anonymous complaint that would not stand up in any court? It should not stand up in public opinion. 

     Here is the claim: “I am compelled to speak out against the escalating harassment, intimidation, and threats being directed at the constituents
     of Dover by members of the City of Dover Police Department. These patterns of misconduct reflect a deeper, systemic failure to respect the civil
     liberties and human dignity of the very people the police are sworn to protect and serve.” 

     That is Balderdash (the only word I can use in family media). This city council would not stand for that. If you have a problem with a police officer, come to us!
     When you witness a crazy driver weaving in and out of traffic, how many times have you thought, “There is never a Cop around when I need one”? 

     Warning, our cops are beginning to go elsewhere because of this Balderdash. Use your common sense when evaluating these flawed crusaders.
     You elected us to serve. Ask questions. Report problems. Don’t let the bully's win. Think what life would be like without our cops. 

      In fact, when you get a chance, why not tell a cop you appreciate that they put their lives in harm’s way to protect us.
      It will make their day.