Ridgefield Candidates '97
Police Commission

George Kain

George F. Kain is currently an Assistant Professor in the Division of Justice and Law Administration at Western Connecticut State University. His extensive background in law enforcement began in 1983 when he began employment with the Connecticut Judicial Department as an adult probation officer. He became a Judicial Department training officer in 1986, and was promoted to administrative manager in 1990.

During his career, he worked closely with the Ridgefield Police Department in a variety of law enforcement activities. He is familiar with police administrative issues and is sensitive to the needs of police officers as well as the needs of the community. He is currently completing a Ph.D. program in criminal justice at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, and is closely associated with some of the most noted scholars and practitioners of criminal justice in the country. He brings a wealth of knowledge in all areas of law enforcement to the Ridgefield community from both the theoretical and practical perspectives.

In the past four years, there have been a number of issues raised relative to the conduct and performance of the Ridgefield Police Commission. Most notable among these issues are the silence, secrecy and unresponsiveness of the police commission. As elected officials, police commissioners must keep the public informed on these matters of great importance to the community. In this light, the Ridgefield Police Commission has failed the voters. Mr. Kain feels that Ridgefielders have neither seen nor heard anything from the Ridgefield Police Commission relative to the business they conduct.

As an example, the recent controversy over police officers working on rotating shifts has brought shame and disgrace upon the Ridgefield Police Commission. Not only did they fail to advise Ridgefield residents of the seriousness of this issue, they plainly disregarded pleas for assistance from members of the community, the officers themselves and from the officers' families. They have also failed to heed the warnings of experts who condemn the practice of rotating shifts. Experts advise that such a practice is detrimental not only to the officers' well being, but to their families and to the community as well. Nonetheless, the Ridgefield Police Commission has done nothing publicly to either explain or investigate this issue.

It has become clear that drastic changes are needed both in the composition of the Ridgefield Police Commission and in the way that it conducts business. The time has come for change. Here are some of the major issues facing the Ridgefield Police Commission:

• Openness -- Police Department policy will be made with citizen input; the days of silence and secrecy will end. All Police Commission business outside of executive session will be published for all Ridgefield residents to view. There will be reports in the Ridgefield Press at least once a month to solicit communication, ideas and feedback. The Ridgefield community will have an active role in addressing the problems of the town.

• Accountability --Police Commissioners are supposed to be the voices of the community. When concerns arise about which the community feels strongly, and which are the subject for debate, the police commissioners must respond. The voices of Ridgefielders will be heard.

• Communication -- There is clearly a lack of communication between the Police Commission and the police officers in the field. This problem is not new, yet the Police Commission has not addressed it. One simple suggestion: a police officer should be a regular participant in Police Commission meetings as a representative of the officers. This creates an atmosphere of respect and responsibility, because everyone must respond to the concerns of others in healthy, productive ways.

In short, the Police Commission's role is to represent all the citizens of Ridgefield, and not to be the servants of the Chief of Police. This duty necessitates communication at all levels -- with the Chief, with the officers, and with the community. Secrecy, silence and "solidarity" are insufficient to keep the community advised of the crucial issues involving public safety.

George Kain lives in Ridgefield with his wife, Marilyn, and their four year old daughter, Grace. He is also the owner of Kain Carpet Cleaning of Ridgefield. A Ridgefield resident for over 26 years, he is a 1975 graduate of Ridgefield High School. He attended Western Connecticut State University in Danbury and graduated with both a B.S. in Criminal Justice in 1982 and a M.S. in Counseling in 1985.

The Democrats of Ridgefield are pleased to endorse and support George F. Kain for the Police Commission. He deserves your vote!

The following issue papers have have been archived. They are no longer available on this web site. Please e-mail the webmaster if you would like access.

Read Mr. Kain's final statement The Differences Are Clear

Our Young People and The Police - latest statement by George Kain

See candidate Kain on Policing Is A Partnership

George Kain on our Authoritarian Police Commission

Read why Rotating Shifts Are Dangerous

Candidate Kain's latest statement More Police Involvement Needed

See George Kain's statement on changes needed in the Police Commission here.

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