Recently the City Council Rules Committee voted to refer the proposed Charter Amendment for the creation of a Commission on Police Practices to the full City Council for a vote. Those citizens who worked to get this measure on the November ballot to become a reality have had the taste of victory snatched by the jaws of deception and defeat.
It appears that the Council’s Rules Committee only passed the measure because there were plans afoot to block coming before the City Council through a technicality. It appears that there is a “meet and confer” provision in the contract with the Police Union. Supposedly, the City Council cannot put the measure on the City Council agenda without such a meeting. However, legal scholars for the Charter Amendment and other legal minds say there is no such requirement.
The real issue is whether those elected to represent the people of San Diego serve the citizens who vote for them or the special interest of those who oppose change. If this measure fails to get to the ballot because of political efforts by elected officials, then the voters should start, with this November’s vote, to remove from office those who voted or worked to blot this measure. Let’s not get mad. Let’s get political and vote change.
