Capt. Paul Chignell: Efficient Police Officers

It is incredible the number of calls, letters and e-mails that we receive here at the Taraval Police Station every month from residents and visitors complimenting our police officers for good arrests, helpful assistance and service to the public. I make sure that these expressions of gratitude are placed in each officer's personnel folders.

But there is another side of public service that we need to recognize. Some officers are not as efficient, as thorough or respectful as they could be. We know that negative behavior or mediocre service occurs infrequently, but it does occur. Accordingly, the supervisors at Taraval Police Station need to know if an officer is not up to par in dealing with the public.

There is always the opportunity to make a formal complaint to an independent body, the Office of Citizen Complaints, but more often than not a simple informal call to a police supervisor about a particular interaction with a police officer can result in corrective action so it does not happen again.

So, keep those positive comments coming! But remember, we have an obligation to hear the other side as well.

Capt. Paul Chignell is the commanding officer at the Taraval Police Station.