Recent fiasco could doom department

The July 17 front-page story displayed Sultan’s latest gaffe concerning Mayor Rowe’s attempt to force Police Chief Fred Walser to resign. (“Sultan mayor, chief clash”). As a resident of Sultan since before Chief Walser took the post, I have the highest respect for Fred and the team he has assembled. Like a rose among thorns, the police department had set itself above the more contentious aspects of Sultan’s political fray, until now.

This move could doom the police department, requiring Sultan to subcontract its law enforcement. This does not bode well for a small town posturing for growth. Either there is justification for firing Walser (in which case there would be little reason to ask for a resignation) or there is another motivation, such as the high cost of maintaining a municipal police force. Whatever the real issues, it would be nice to see decisions of this magnitude being made with the full support of the city council.

Sultan

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