RESIDENTS' VIEWS MIXED ON APD MARIJUANA RULE

Potential Amarillo police officers can apply for admission to the academy
if they have not smoked marijuana within the past year.

Some Amarillo residents interviewed Wednesday think Amarillo Police
Department should be more strict in its admission standards, but others
think the rule is fair.

"That's not showing a lot of respect for the law," Jack Hicks said. Hicks
said adults who smoked marijuana a year ago are likely to do so again.

"I don't think you can enforce the law if you're not willing to uphold the
law," said Kris Dean.

"I think if they smoked pot a year ago they shouldn't be in the police
academy," said LeeAnn Graham.

"If they did it once (as an adult), they'll be doing it again," said Virgil
Sumpter.

Scott Mitchell said he has no problem with the policy, as long as a person
has left marijuana use in his or her past.

"I don't see any problem with that," said Kristen Pearce. "I don't think
(marijuana is) any worse than cigarettes or alcohol."

Residents were supportive of the policy that allows people who experimented
with drugs when they were younger than 19 to apply to be police officers.

"Kids do a lot of things they shouldn't do. Can't hold that against them
the rest of their lives," Jimmie King said.

"I think teen-agers are probably going to try it," Graham said. "It
shouldn't be held against them."

"A lot of kids get involved in things they don't want to get involved in,"
Hicks said.

Pearce said adults should not be held back in life for experimenting as
children.