Chesterfield police officers deserve more pay

Dear Editor,

In defense of a budget for the Chesterfield County Police Department that supports an increase for current, experienced officers, I present the following. I took part in the Chesterfield Citizens Police Academy and had the privilege to do a "ride along" with an experienced police officer who truly had the care and concern of his area foremost on his agenda. I saw firsthand how many hats an experienced officer must wear in order to defuse potentially dangerous situations to Chesterfield's community, not to mention that knowing his beat is essential in helping to make quick, intelligent decisions.

This "ride along" was in the late hours of the night when most of us are safe in our homes and these officers are out patrolling the neighborhoods keeping watch. One only needs to look at the increased building of new homes and business to realize that Chesterfield County is still a growing community that needs a growing and stable police force to maintain a positive place for families to live and work.

As noted in a previous letter to the editor [Mar. 5], does it makes sense to train recruits at a cost of $122,000 and then not give them the incentive to stay and protect our citizens who have paid for their training?

Susan Schoemmell

Midlothian                                                                                            

 

Letters to the editor can be e-mailed to letters@chesterfieldobserver.com, mailed to P.O. Box 1616, Midlothian, VA 23113, or faxed to 744-3269. Letters should include the writer's phone number and home address, but neither will be printed. All letters may be edited for clarity or space. For complete guidelines, visit www.chesterfieldobserver. com and click on "letters policy."