Respect deserved
To the editor:
Sheriff Scott has established himself as being an extraordinary law enforcement officer. He’s prepared himself, by way of special education and training. He’s been saluted for his expertise and his performance across the state. And, he’s been elected and reelected, overwhelmingly, by the citizens he serves.
We’re lucky to have a chief law enforcement officer of this caliber… and it’s important for all of us to recognize what Mike Scott means to Lee County, and show him the respect he deserves!
This respect, and appropriate admiration, needs to begin with the County Commissioners. There is nothing wrong with having open hearings relative to the sheriff’s budgetary requirements. The problem here is in the tone and the tenor of the questioning.
I believe that the Commissioners are well meaning. However, in Sheriff Mike Scott we have a proven law enforcement expert. The Sheriff has signed off on an oath that specifically demands that he “serves and protects.” It’s an oath that the Sheriff takes very seriously. But, he cannot fulfill this commitment without the complete cooperation of the commissioners.
Each commissioner needs to realize that Sheriff Scott is the expert and no one knows the demands of the Sheriff’s Office better than the sheriff himself. Challenging Mike Scott’s wisdom is tantamount to placing the citizens at risk and serves to present a very dangerous possibility.
Let the Sheriff do his job.
The Commissioners need to listen to Mike Scott, show their respect and appreciation for him, and help him to keep us safe.
Dick Kalfus
Cape Coral