Frank Anderson plays Political Football

Marion County Democrats are great at making ironic press statements, and Sheriff Frank Anderson is but the latest. Anderson is vigorously on the offensive against Mayor-Elect Greg Ballard, as Ballard's main campaign plank was returning control of IMPD from the Sheriff to a Mayor-appointed Police Chief. Anderson's main sound bite on the switch is that IMPD should not be a "political football" kicked around when various sides win. Now, Anderson wants a referendum on the matter.

To the observer, it is very obvious it is Anderson who is playing political football

• When Bart Peterson proposed police consolidation, he proposed IMPD be under a Mayor-appointed Chief. Anderson balked, Peterson caved in, and Anderson is now the man in control of IMPD.
• Anderson is claiming Ballard wants to undo the merger. However, changing the titular head does not have to undo the merger.
• Anderson may not run for re-election,but he does not want to be muted either.

Anderson's call for a referendum is wholly political for two reasons:

1. Anderson does not want to cede power and will play the populism card to keep it.
2. With a disastrous 2007 in terms of Democratic turnout, a referendum could give Democrats a test case by running Anderson against Ballard directly for IMPD control. A win in favor of the Sheriff could quell any feeling of mandate by Ballard and give the Dems momentum leading to future elections.

That said, Anderson's strategy only works if he can win public support for such a referendum. That seems unlikely.

Comments

[Concerned Taxpayer & Citizen]

The sheriff and bart peterson have nearly DESTROYED law enforcement in Marion County due to partisan democrat politics.

The only requirements to being promoted or placed in charge of a unit is the loyalty to the sheriff. Knowledge, ability, training, education, or experience have nothing to do with it.

Morale is the absolute lowest I have seen it in over 36 years.

It is laughable that the sheriff says "there is no place in public safety for politics."

He is the one who has PUT politics in public safety.

And neither he nor the "chief of police" are ever seen by the officers in the trenches. They are only visible at camera events.

[George]

There was a referendum on this, it was called an election. The people of the city did'nt like the way things were being run so they voted for a change! Franks needs to sit down and shut up.

[fed up]

Anderson has nearly destroyed the police department. I think we need a referendum on his 300k+ salary!

[fed up]

The median expected salary for a typical Sheriff/Police Chief in the United States is $89,094. This basic market pricing report was prepared using our Certified Compensation Professionals' analysis of survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries and geographies

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_compresult_national_LG12000025.html

[Where's Frank?]

I have read it before but I think it is worth repeating: Why does our highly paid Sheriff have to use a spokesman? The only time Frank spoke for the cameras was during the election.

WHERE'S FRANK?

Frank, the city was being buried in crime and you DID NOTHING! Now, you are upset because someone gives a damn and wants to improve the city? GO TO HELL!