Chief Moose should make tracks away from fame

Chief Moose should make tracks away from fame

Over the last 30 years I have worked in the Washington area as a law-enforcement officer. Over that time period, I have been very familiar with the many different police chiefs who have served our communities. I have never seen the judgment of a police chief so distorted as Chief Charles Moose from Montgomery County.

His recent decision to pursue this book and movie deal sickens my stomach. Integrity is simply doing the right thing because it is right. This issue is so clearly wrong that it is what's known as a "no brainer."

The moment you begin to rationalize whether something is right or wrong, your integrity begins to crumble. No person should consider it a right to serve the public, because it is actually a privilege to serve the public.

Moose has forgotten his ethical oath of office by turning his back on his own community, suing his own ethics commission and bluntly seeking profits directly related to an appointed public office.

To make matters worse, the Montgomery County executive has stepped into this issue with strong support for his chief. This guy's understanding of integrity is questionable, as well as his ignorance of the true mission of a law enforcement officer.

Public service comes with a higher standard of character, far above the people we serve. It comes with giving up dreams of material fulfillment. Following the temptations of greed and fame puts you on the same level as those many others who are a dime a dozen.

A true law-enforcement officer gives up those dreams when he or she takes the oath of office. That oath doesn't change, even if you make it to the top.

Richard Daniele

Stafford

Date published: 5/23/2003