
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 2, 1991                   TAG: 9102040254
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHARLES W. MAYO
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

POLICE SOUGHT MINORITIES AGGRESSIVELY

IT IS AMAZING how one newspaper has been fortunate enough to employ so many editors who are experts in everything. However, it would appear that there is a chink in at least one editor's armor (editorial, Jan. 10).

This is not written in defense of Police Chief David Hooper. His position and statements are right on target. I cannot say this for the editor. Some of the comments need to be corrected and others need to be clarified.

I feel I am qualified to do this because I was employed by the Roanoke City Police Department more than 28 years: 16 years with Chief Hooper and the last seven recruiting and training new officers.

The police department has conducted aggressive recruiting programs in the past and, in all probability, still does. These programs included brochures and fliers mailed to points all over the United States, presentations at institutions of higher learning, the most distant being Virginia Commonwealth University, and, yes, even [-page advertisements in your newspaper. These programs were constructed to encompass all possible acceptable applicants, not just select groups.

More young white children than black children are indoctrinated toward law enforcement careers, primarily because the majority of law enforcement officers are white. Comparing law enforcement with the military is similar to comparing apples with oranges. Military personnel engage in routine duties, except during a war, with supervisors present for guidance. Though supervisors are available, police are mostly on their own and must be capable of making correct decisions, often in a matter of seconds. Law-enforcement officers do not deal in suppositions or opinions. They must deal in facts. Evidently this is an area in which many reporters and editors possess little or no knowledge.

Suggesting a black applicant, or any applicant, be ensured of not washing out during training borders on the ridiculous. This is comparable to saying that a medical student who is flunking out must be retained as a brain surgeon.

The best applicants, black, white or otherwise, must be selected. They are given the best possible training, but there is no guarantee the applicant will succeed. I am surprised the editor did not suggest the aggressive recruitment of felons, homosexuals, conscientious objectors and members of Plowshare Peace (?) Center, since they seem to be minorities. Perhaps David Hayden could be appointed chief of police.

The listing of percentages in two cities, Charlottesville and Danville, is hardly an accurate gauge.

The editorial writer should go out into the real world and do more homework. This may give him a good grip on the situation. Also, I cannot help but wonder what the percentage is of blacks employed by the Roanoke Times & World-News.

by CNB