COMPA candidate endorsements: Why them and why now?

Recently there have been several questions asked about COMPA, the City of Maricopa Police Association, and why we have become involved in local politics and endorsed council candidates Kimball, Marchione and Romero-Gusse.

Through several local media outlets people have asked “Why them and why now?” Others have asked what COMPA is getting for the investment, and what it is that we want. A few have taken shots calling us complainers and troublemakers. The name-callers have part of it right.
 
COMPA has been complaining to Maricopa police and city management and city council about integrity issues, excessive force incidents, civil rights violations, improper investigations, policy violations and criminal activity involving police supervisors and managers for almost two years. COMPA has been the loudest voice against department mismanagement and retaliation, and the strongest advocate for integrity, consistency and professionalism within the Maricopa police ranks. The numerous inquiries, grievances and published articles exposing Police Department improprieties have proven very troublesome for city officials.
 
So, to the questions:  Why them and why now? COMPA developed a survey and asked each candidate, mayoral and city council, to submit their responses to a Political Action Committee (PAC) made of COMPA members. Some candidates decided to participate; others never responded. Of those who participated, the PAC reviewed each response and solicited other COMPA members for input before selecting the endorsees. As a result, Bridger Kimball, Alan Marchione, and Julia Romero-Gusse were recommended and accepted the COMPA endorsement. The timing is simple; we need change, and we need it now!
 
So what does COMPA get out of the deal? Commitment. Each of the endorsed candidates has pledged to seek out the truth behind the allegations and has committed to demanding professionalism from every city employee, and to holding all city personnel accountable. What does COMPA want? An audit! Boots to ball cap, chief to volunteer, M1 to M62. The Maricopa Police Department needs an external, impartial, professional review of its investigations and employment practices. Chief Kirk Fitch was recently quoted as saying, ” . . . he did not feel an audit into the department was necessary at this time.” Frankly, we disagree! Chief Fitch also stated, referring to policies and procedures, that MPD has “ . . . several layers of checks and balances in place.” The problem has been that policies and procedures have not been followed; they have been bypassed and ignored, a recipe for public safety failure.
 
That is why COMPA is endorsing City Council candidates Bridger Kimball, Alan Marchione and Julia Romero-Gusse. They share our belief that the Maricopa Police Department should be beyond reproach. They will demand integrity, consistency and professionalism from all ranks.  
 
Note: Quotes and information taken from InMaricopa online article written by Michael K. Rich, April 22, 2010, entitled Police union calls for audit, endorses candidates.

Aki Stant, COMPA President
480-430-3199

File photo

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