Re: “Weinberger Taps NYC Cop as Burlington Police Chief”

I don't doubt that the newly selected Chief candidate is not qualified to fill the position left vacant by the departure of Michael Schirling. He has all the bells and whistles to show himself to be a viable candidate. What concerns me is the impact that the selection of a candidate outside the department has on the department in whole. If there was an internal candidate within the top 4 of the selection process why not keep the promotion within the department. A young patrolman coming onto the department likes to believe that hard work and effort can be rewarded by advancement in the ranks. This paints quite a different picture and can have impact on morale in general. Chief Schirling was such an officer growing up within the ranks of the Burlington Police Department and reaching the reward of "Top Cop" in the department. He knew the people, the community, and the cultures. Again, I’m not inferring that the Chief candidate is unworthy. He will fulfill the rank of Chief in service to the community. What I have always admired about the community and department is the individuality of its homegrown rank and file, perhaps not at the recruitment level as it may be difficult to bring on local candidates at a pay level that does not support housing costs for the area, but retention of officers wanting to advance and dedicated to working for the community. That has been eroded in this process. How long before the in house qualified candidate moves on to greener pastures? Time will tell, it always does.