As a former police chief of Texarkana, Texas, I too would like for it to be known that I am in support of Joe Bunting as chief of police for Texarkana, Texas. I agree with Chief Harrison and others that Joe can and will do a good job. There are few chiefs anywhere who can claim to have 90 percent of their officers support! That says a lot for Joe Bunting.

I have known Joe since I served on his interview board at the time he was hired as an officer for Texarkana. I worked with Joe for a number of years and know him to be a solid individual who makes good decisions under stressful situations. Joe is good man, an honest cop and a loyal employee of the City of Texarkana, Texas, and the police department.

Perhaps the best thing I can say about Joe Bunting is that he has never been a ‘police groupie. Joe is his own man and has worked hard to earn the ranks he has held since joining the Texarkana, Texas, Police Department. He never played politics to get to where he is. When I left Texarkana to accept the position of police chief for the City of University Park, Texas, I recommended Joe for the interim chiefs position over three higher ranking captains. Joe was a lieutenant.

As a 32-year law enforcement veteran, with 14 as a chief, I fully support Mr. Shackelfords decision to select Joe Bunting as his next chief. Although I too was a candidate for the job recently, Joes true desire to be a chief was one of several reasons I withdrew my name from consideration. I have had that job, and am a chief now, and I think Joe Bunting deserves a chance.

While I doubt that my opinion or recommendation will carry little weight in Texarkana now, it is still my hometown and I would be proud to see Texarkana advance one of their own as chief of police.

Gary W. Adams

Chief of Police

University Park Texas

TO THE EDITOR:

Well, Texarkana, Texas, Police Department, if you didnt know it before, you know it now. The City Council could care less about what you think or need in your department. Instead of listening to you and other well-qualified individuals (i.e. the district attorney, justice of the peace, chief of police for Texarkana, Ark.) they listen to their constituents or most likely, themselves. I am sure they know so much about the police department and Capt. Bunting that what they think and say should outweigh experienced people who work at and with the police department. They dont think that Capt. Bunting is doing in the ‘right direction. The old adage is if it isnt broke, why fix it. Well, since the previous chief has been gone what was broken in now being fixed under the direction of Capt. Bunting. He has proven himself to be the leader that the police department needs. As said by the city manager, he had spoken with officers and they told him Bunting is the man for them. To no avail. Instead, the council wants another outsider like the former chief to come in and sweet talk them with catchy phrases like ‘community policing, district command and geographic responsibility that they think is the new wave of the future or a ‘different direction. Let me inform the council, just in case they havent researched or done their homework, these phrases are not new. Larger cities such as Los Angeles, Baltimore and Houston implemented these types of policing in the early 80s and it did not work. Therefore, it is not some magic cure that solves crime. None of the applicants know how to fix the problems within the department better than Capt. Bunting, he was there during the madness under the previous chief and watched as nearly 50 officers walked out to take their training and experience that the city paid for to go to other agencies. Do we want this to happen again? Obviously the council does not care.

I wonder if the council ever learned that you should meet your needs before you meet your wants. What this city needs if a chief of police not a chief for the city council. You apparently are not educated enough to know what is needed within the department yet when you hear from people who do, you turn a deaf ear to them. You listen to the common public that ‘think he cant do the job. Well, can I point out, he has been doing the job? If I am not mistaken, none of the council members go to work at the police department. The city manager spoke with police officers and they know what it takes and are completely satisfied and confident in Capt. Bunting, something that they didnt have under the direction of the former chief. The council never ceases to amaze me in not listening to qualified individuals on matters such as this. I am with the mayor, the council has made a huge mistake. In their continued search for the ‘right man, just beware of wolves in sheeps clothing, like last time.

Capt Bunting, I am so very sorry that you were overlooked. In all your future endeavors, I wish you luck. Whatever department does finally land you, if that is the venue you desire, they will be greatly rewarded with all that you will bring with you ... at the expense of the city of Texarkana, Texas. Thanks for your efforts city manager and Mayor Bramlett.

Kim Henry

Texarkana, Texas

TO THE EDITOR:

I am literally stunned by the actions of the Texarkana, Texas, City Council recently. It appeared to me that the decision to vote no on the appointment of Capt. Joe Bunting had been made after much discussion among the council members since Buntings appointment was made public. The decision seemed to be already in place before the City Council meeting began. Additionally, the wide-spread support for Capt. Bunting evidenced throughout the meeting made not one bit of difference to council members.

I have known Capt. Bunting for decades and know him to be an honest man, well-qualified to serve Texarkana as police chief. He is certainly much more qualified than the last man who served in that office. An ‘outside at that. Bunting knows the history of this department because he has served within its ranks for the past 22 years. He knows what the problems are, he knows how to instill expertise and self-confidence in his police officers and he has demonstrated through his actions since serving as interim police chief that he knows how to heal this department. Beyond that, he has the respect of his officers and his colleagues in other police departments.

I dont know what the ‘hidden agenda was in Monday nights meeting, but I know one when I see one and, I did see one Monday night. This City Council should publicly apologize to Capt Bunting because their scorn for him was all too public Monday night.

Beverly J. Rowe, Ph.D

Texarkana, Texas

TO THE EDITOR:

To the mayor, city manager, and City Council of Texarkana, Texas;

1. My first question is for Mr. Nuckolls, Mr. Mayo, and Mr. Stewart, the 3 newest councilmen. In your short tenure, have you learned more about the city manager than anyone has known or heard in the last 18 years? If that is the case I think you should have approached him directly as opposed to venting your frustration on Capt. Bunting.

2. To the 5 council members who voted against Capt. Bunting, why would you even think or utter the words ‘new blood after Danny Alexander. It would be very interesting to hear what qualifications you think the next TTPD chief should have. Obviously the fact that he has been in law enforcement for 29 years, 22 of those years in this city, and, according to Mr. McGary, is a man of integrity, character and ethics, does not qualify Joe Bunting for the job. My hope is that when you get your choice of TTPD chief that you are prepared for the turmoil, unrest, and further loss of personnel in the department. I am not personally acquainted with either man involved in this controversy but as I said before if your gripe is with Mr. Shackelford you should have faced him rather than publicly humiliating and embarrassing Capt. Bunting.

3. Dont be surprised if your actions are remembered at the polls-they should be! We like to think we have intelligent people representing us but we also want them to be kind, considerate, and understanding of other people.

Bonnie Judd

Texarkana, Texas