POT-SMOKING POLICY AT POLICE ACADEMY CAUSES CONTROVERSY

Amarillo Police Academy policy changes met with mixed reviews in the
Amarillo community this morning.

Several residents took issue with an APD policy to allow people to join the
police academy if they have smoked marijuana more than a year ago.

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

"I just really don't think you should smoke pot and try to get into the
police academy," said LeeAnn Graham.

"If he smoked one a year ago, he'll smoke one now," said Jack Hicks. Hicks
added that those who smoke pot as an adult are saying they are not too
concerned about the law, which is a big problem with a future
law-enforcement officer.

"That's not showing a lot of respect for the law," he said.

Others expressed similar ideas.

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

Scott Mitchell said he had no problem with the policy as long as a person
had left marijuana use in their past.

Still other residents were in support of the policy.

"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 a policy that allowed people who may have
experimented with drugs under the age of 19 to still be police officers.

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

"I think teen-agers are 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.

"I don't think it has anything to do with what they are like now," Mitchell
said.

`I just really don't think you should smoke pot and try to get into the
police academy.'