An important feature of Tuesday's balloting was the election of George F. Kain to Ridgefield's Police Commission. Kain, a professor of Justice and Law Administration at
Western Connecticut State University, brings a new level of
professionalism and knowledge which the Police Commission has lacked for
many years. He is completing his Ph.D. in criminal justice at the City
University of New York. As a community leader, Kain has been working for several years to improve the way the Commission conducts its business, and to improve the quality of its decisions. Prior to his election Tuesday, he had twice before run unsuccessfully for the Commission.
"There is no reason why the Town must have an adversarial relationship with our police officers, and certainly no reason why we need to be wasting thousands of dollars on protracted labor negotiations", Kain says. "We should be working on the critical issues facing the town, such as getting central dispatching up and running now." Kain added, "Chief Ligi has done a wonderful job in his new position, and I understand his concerns about central dispatch. But this is a Town issue and I think we need to focus on what is best for Ridgefield. With the proper equipment and the necessary support staff that Chief Ligi will need, I am sure that we can make this work.
Kain, who worked on Ridgefield's Central Dispatch Committee for the last two years, is concerned that the town understands just how important this project is. "This goes far beyond dollars and cents" he said, "we're talking about people's lives here. We can't afford to loose sight of this. We have seen how well this system works in other towns and cities."
Another issue of great concern facing the Commission is the friction between the police and Ridgefield's young people. "In some ways, this problem is blown out of proportion," Kain said, "but there are things that can and should be done to improve relations between the police and our kids. I think that young people need to remember that our police officers are concerned for their welfare and safety, and that there are things they need to do to keep kids safe. But our officers should meet with them to clear up any misconceptions about just what it is that they are doing - and I know they are willing to do so. There are just some things that cops need to do that are not going to be popular- but that is the price that we must be willing to pay to keep our children safe- as long as the cops are fair and professional. They have a very difficult job to do. They don't have to be liked all the time- and they know it- but they do have to be legal and consistent and explain their actions."
Hiring and training police officers is another issue that concerns Kain. "We need to be on the cutting edge of professionalism in this town. That doesn't only mean hiring the best officers and training them well, it means giving them incentives to be the absolute best that they can be." Kain proposes providing officers with a library of resources at the police station, which will help them stay current on latest trends and practices, and provide them with tools for promotion as well. "There is no reason why individual officers should have to spend hundreds of dollars on books for promotional exams, when we have the capability of making them available to all officers at a significantly reduced cost." Kain, offering to donate some of his personal library to the department to get this project rolling, thinks that this will continue a trend that Chief Ligi has started to improve relations with the rank and file. "I have known Chief Ligi for over 22 years and I can't wait to work with him. He is open minded and fair. He is a listener and a communicator. It will be a pleasure to work with him."
Kain expressed disappointment that Republican Commissioner Richard Terbrusch will be resigning from the Police Commission in order to devote time to the Board of Education, to which he was just elected. "Richard is as progressive a thinker as there is, and has made significant contributions to the Commission. We must ensure that his replacement can fill his shoes so we may continue the great example he has set."
Asked for suggestions on a replacement for the departing Terbrusch, Kain stated that he enthusiastically supports Susan Craig, a Republican who has worked tirelessly, and without pay, to assist the police union in settling their previous problems with the town. "Susan is by far the best candidate I know," Kain said, "and I will do whatever I can to have her join the Commission. She is and has been a regular and tireless participant at Commission meetings. She has learned more about police practices and administration in four years than most people do in a lifetime. She would continue the many positive changes made under Chief Ligi. I know that the police officers support her, and that she will have support from the Board of Selectmen. This shouldn't be political. Based on all the evidence, she is simply the best person for the job."
Kain officially begins his term as Police Commissioner on November 16, 1999. His first meeting as Commissioner will be on December 9, 1999, at 7:00 PM, at the Town Annex. He is hopeful that the new Commission will heighten the interest of Ridgefielders in the important work of this body, and that they will attend meetings and contribute to solving the important issues facing the town today.
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