The Police Response

I was shocked and outraged when I read the Oct. 20 comment made by Santa Paula City Council candidate Les Maland. Maland was quoted as saying that youth programs are “less expensive than adding a few more headbusters in the Police Department.”

While I might agree that it is important that the city provide programs for our youth to keep them off the streets, it is hardly appropriate to take such a jab at the Police Department.

In the 16 years that I have been employed by the Santa Paula Police Department, there has not been a single lawsuit where the officer has been found guilty of improper conduct. As far as “adding a few more headbusters,” I should point out that the Santa Paula Police Department is nearly the same size it was when I was hired, having added only one more officer position.

This is during a period when our city’s population has risen by over 10,000 people and our officers handle more calls for service per officer than any other Ventura County department. In short, our officers have been working hard to keep Santa Paula safe, and hardly deserve to have such a derogatory comment made about them by a council candidate.

GARY MARSHALL, Santa Paula. Gary Marshall is president of the Santa Paula Police Officer’s Assn.