POLICE CHIEF'S VIEW IMPORTANT

Our view: The Chico City Council should seek the counsel of the police
chief before making decisions that impact public safety.

The elected members of a city council - or any governmental body -
can't be expected to be omniscient. At some point they have to, and
should, listen to the advice of the professional staff they pay so
well.

Jolene Francis, the Chico Chamber of Commerce CEO, made an astute
observation Tuesday right before the Chico City Council approved
medical marijuana dispensaries in the city limits. She wondered if
Police Chief Mike Maloney was consulted about the ordinance they
favored. The council members sat mute and never addressed Francis'
question.

It's odd. Whenever the council discusses an issue, there's a staff
report to help provide information. The marijuana dispensary staff
report had nothing from the police chief.

A verbal staff report is also given at the meetings. Again, no input
from the chief.

We would think the police chief would be asked to weigh in on any
issue that could affect public safety. Maloney was in the room, but he
was never asked his opinion, whether the ordinance was enforceable, or
how the new marijuana dispensaries in the city limits would affect his
department.

The county's district attorney got up and spoke during the public
hearing, as is his right. The police chief, though, remained silent,
ready to share his thoughts only if asked.

Maloney has made it clear he thinks dispensaries are problematic. He
thinks too many people who aren't truly sick abuse the medical
marijuana law in California. He was quoted in the Enterprise-Record as
saying, "The whole dispensary thing is a sham, as is the whole medical
marijuana thing."

Perhaps the council believes his position is clear, so they don't need
to ask, even though Maloney also has said he will enforce whatever
ordinances the council wants to enact.

Perhaps some councilors are upset at the Police Department in general
because officers are publicly questioning the staffing levels. Perhaps
the councilors think it is a land-use issue, not a public safety
issue. Perhaps they don't agree with the chief's opinion of
dispensaries being a sham, so they don't want to hear his input.

Well, we think it is indeed a public safety issue. That's why the
council should at least hear what the police chief has to say.