Medical Lake police force more about uniform than service

There has been a lot of conversation here in Medical Lake on the topic of having our own police force vs. contracting with Spokane County. The whole issue of contracting police services or not boils down to what uniform someone is wearing.

The truth of the matter is that if the future City Council wants to hire their own police force, and somehow they find officers to fill the positions (not easy nowadays with a shortage of officers), those officers more likely than not aren’t going to live inside the city limits (it is illegal to have residency requirements for civil service employees). So the only difference is going to be the name on the uniform and the side of the police car.

The service would not change by simply having the Medical Lake labels on the uniforms and vehicles. We still would really not have a local (Mayberry-style) police force as they could live anywhere and have no actual connection to Medical Lake except when on duty here for their job and use the city facilities relating to their job but not really be a part of us.

We have had great service from Spokane County officers. Instead of complaining we should give thanks that they are here and doing their job.

Thomas E. Durst

Medical Lake