Firing an Entire Police Force in the most Dangerous City in America

How is it possible that in our nation's poorest and most dangerous city, Camden New Jersey, an entire city police force can be summarily dismissed?

If your scratching your head trying to figure out how such a move is possible, and why it is even necessary here in America in 2013, you are not alone. You see, in the history of our country, this has never once been attempted, by any city in any state in the United States, or it's territories.

The Camden Police Department is more than 160 years old with a long and storied history. The department is woefully understaffed with only 267 officers available for a city which should have more than 400 officers available for duty.
Of the 267 officers nearly 30% often call out sick, leaving the balance of the force overworked, overstressed, and dangerously outgunned on the streets of Camden.

The department morale is at an all time low, and is led by an officer who had no prior command supervisory experience. Chief John Thompson was appointed by former NJ State Attorney General Anne Milgram. His dictatorial leadership style, according to several unnamed officers, does not engender confidence or respect. In fact they tell me that his demeanor is one of arrogance and hubris. His decision making abilities appear to be instinctive and not instructive. These complaints have fallen on deaf ears however and It appears that his position seems safe as head of the new Camden County NJ Metro Police Department. Why replace an inexperienced Police Chief when you can replace the entire police department.

The article written by Dwight Ott, of the Philadelphia Tribune that I've linked to this blog will provide more background information for you, but I prefer to concentrate on this unprecedented and possibly extra-legal attack by the State of New Jersey, and it's Justice Department officials, on the Camden New Jersey Police Department, Civil Service rules, it's governing union, the Camden New Jersey FOP, and by extension the citizens of Camden.

This is a monumental frontal assault on a union, the civil rights of it's members, and the public safety of the citizens of Camden New Jersey.

Why should the rest of America be concerned? Because if this plan moves forward unchallenged and becomes reality, every city in the nation will be vulnerable to this kind of action in the future.

How would you like it if one day you woke up and your local policeman was replaced by someone from 1000 miles away with no connection or commitment to keeping you safe?

http://www.phillytrib.com/newsarticles/item/7653-camden-gambles-on-firing-police.html

http://youtu.be/TMJKtUoudUw