I’m writing in response to an Opinion by Dover Police Chief Thomas A. Johnson Jr. (“Dover chief reflects on agency’s 100 years”). It’s good to hear from you, but I think one important word was left out: loyal. For many years, your loyalty has never wavered: to the department, to every citizen you’ve come across and to the principles of fairness and diversity that you have always upheld. That is rare, and it deserves to be recognized.
If memory serves me right, you were among the very few chiefs of police in the entire country who stood in solidarity with people from every walk of life during the George Floyd incident. That was leadership in action, and I commend you for it.
As the holidays approach, I wish you peace and rest. At the same time, I want to say how sorry I am that you’re being forced to deal with such nonsense. What’s happening is wasteful, juvenile and, frankly, disgraceful. Your accusers’ behavior is nothing short of an embarrassment — not to you but to them. It’s a betrayal of the very standards they should be upholding. I sent them this correspondence, as well.
Please know that your legacy of loyalty, integrity and leadership shines far brighter than the noise they’re making.
Steve LeBoon
Dover
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
