Journal questions Perry's competence

It stands to reason;

One cannot solve a problem while at the same time
denying that a problem exists.

Certainly problems cannot be solved well; effectively, efficiently, in a timely manner.  If for no other reason than, you are not going to be able to find anyone willing to help you solve a non-existent problem.

Take for example, student discipline in APS classrooms.
Students are out of control and its getting worse. The issue is not adequately addressed because the school board and senior administration won't acknowledge that there is a problem.

Don't believe it? ask APS for any data whatsoever to the contrary, link.

You will find, not only do they have no data to support a conclusion that things are getting better, they don't have any data at all.  Their lack of data supports the conclusion that things are getting worse.

Why else would they not gather data on such an important issue? incompetence?

Student discipline issues are getting worse because the leadership of the APS is in denial that there are issues is the first place.

A parallel situation exists in the city and centering around Chief Administrative Officer Rob Perry and his apparent denial of trust issues between the police and city residents.

According to the Journal, link, Perry told KRQE;

“I don’t think that the overall community in Albuquerque has great distrust (of APD). It may be that way in your newsroom, but I’m not so sure that the community has that distrust. I think that the overall community has a great deal of trust and support for the Albuquerque Police Department."

Perry's denial points to two possibilities;

1. Perry is telling the truth; there are no trust issues between city residents and their police department; everything is hunky dory or

2. Perry is not telling the truth; there are trust issues and;

a.  Perry is lying about them (manifest corruption) and or,

b.  Perry is ignorant of them (manifest incompetence) 

If the issue of a community's trust in its police department is an important one, then it is important to know if there is an issue.  It is important to know if Rob Perry can be trusted.

I can't afford to do a statistically meaningful survey of Albuquerque residents to find out how serious are the trust issues.  The city could afford to conduct such a survey if they wanted to; so could KRQE and or the Journal.

The city won't run a survey for obvious reasons;
Perry is not telling the truth.
He is deliberately misleading the community, or,
he just doesn't know the truth.

In either case Rob Perry cannot be looked to for meaningful participation in any solution.

Perry cannot fix a problem he cannot or will not see.

All he can do is make it worse.

Is it not time for a professionally done survey of public opinion?

Or is public opinion of no consequence?

Why won't KRQE and or the Journal conduct some meaningful research and then publicize it?

Are they afraid of losing their "credentials"?  Are they afraid they will lose access; that they will no longer be able to have sit down interviews with city officials?




photo Mark Bralley