POLICE EFFORT HAS APPEARANCE OF LOBBYING

I would like to comment on the Feb. 15 article "Police pan pot
proposals." I have been told that the role of our police force is
enforcement of the law and it is not their job to question the
validity of a law but only to enforce it. It occurs to me that taking
a "'proactive stance' to show the public its opposition to marijuana
by reaching out to Maui residents at public places" is going beyond
enforcement and entering the realm of politics.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding something here, but isn't passing out
pamphlets a political act? Beside being outside of the role of
enforcement, lobbying for or against any legislation that has a
direct connection to the lobbyist's employment should be viewed as a
conflict of interest at the least.

Are the police creating a political platform in order to influence
the lawmakers and the public? Is this really part of their job? Just asking.

Lloyd Buell

Ulupalakua