The Indiana State Legislature is considering restricting the ability of public safety workers to run for public office. As a firefighter who chooses to live in the community that I am sworn to protect, I would be barred from running for mayor or for city council. This action by the State Legislature and the Governor, who supports it, would take away a right afforded to any law abiding citizen who has not been convicted of a felony.
Why should we care that they don’t let firefighters and police officers run for political office? Fundamentally, the restriction is a slap in the face of any public safety officer, whether they want to run for political office or not. Public safety workers often times have very diverse backgrounds that enable them to serve a wide range of constituents. They see the best and worst of the citizens we serve and have insight into how local government can serve the citizens of that community. So who better to represent the masses than someone who has already sworn an oath to serve and protect the community they are in?
I understand that lawmakers are concerned about conflicts of interest. Lawyers in the state legislature vote on laws; teachers in the state legislature vote on education reform; businesspeople in the state legislature vote on regulations: Their areas of expertise can be useful and when we vote them into office we trust them not to abuse the power we hand them. Although we place this trust in our legislators through voting, they are unwilling to allow that voters might be able to decide for themselves whether or not to vote for police officers and firefighters in local elections.
If any restrictions are placed upon public office, it should be on the individual ability to vote on budgetary matters that directly impact the officeholder. Keeping public safety workers out of office entirely is throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
I urge you to call your legislative representatives and tell them you are capable of deciding who you want for public office. One of the constants of our democracy is that if an officeholder does or doesn’t perform up to the expectations of their constituency, there is always an election around the corner. Our police officers and firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us: Shouldn’t we protect their rights as citizens?
Shawn Oglesby, Lieutenant and 22 year veteran Evansville Fire Department
“So who better to represent the masses than someone who has already sworn an oath to serve and protect the community they are in?”
Shawn, you write a very good letter with many very good points. However, I must object to you using the superlative “better” in a way that may appear to indicate a sworn public safety officer inherently is a “better” choice than any other qualified candidate for public service via elected office.
Fact is no one qualified person within a particular profession is “better,” in general, than another qualified person from another profession or walk of life to serve as city council member, for example. And all those elected to serve must swear the same oath to uphold the laws and constitutions of the United States of America and the State of Indiana.
I trust you did not mean what that particular sentence in your letter might imply. Furthermore, I think police officers and firemen do have an obligation to present themselves, their campaign literature, billboards, and media advertising in a manner that is appropriate and respectful to their occupation. And I hope your brothers and sisters do so in the upcoming elections.
You suggest we call the *same* legislators that want to…
-tell us where, how and if we can smoke?
-vote and push for Obamacare and/or “single payer”?
-buy New Kids on the Block tickets with our taxpayer money?
-chug Opus one, on the taxpayer?
-want internet control switches?
-and on and on…
Tyranny is in vogue, Shawn.
The problem with that, “election around the corner”, is the options.
You excuse local government employees by pointing out that Lawyers, teachers and Business people vote in the legislature. Lawyers and business people do not get paid in their main occupation by the body they serve on. Teachers do. And look at how poorly that has worked.
Sorry, when you work for the government you don’t get to be your own boss.
So, by your logic, a city bus driver, teamster, or anyone who may do business with a municipality should automatically be excluded from running for office in that city? Teachers that are in the legislature vote on laws that affect their pensions, contracts & work condition every session. If the constituents do not want these people elected, they won’t vote for them, let the voters decide if it’s a problem or not.
Yes, exactly. If you draw a paycheck directly from a government, you don’t get to be on the board or council. Teacher now get paid through State taxes and now fall into that category. The same goes for those who do business with the City/Governmental Body. IE no more insurance agents that get elected and start getting the county/city business.
It really is that simple… if you go for the job or go after the business, you take yourself out of contention for the election. Why wouldn’t you want that separation?
I had no idea of this legislation. This is a terrible idea. I fully support everyone’s right to serve in all government offices. Thanks Shawn!
Great letter LT! I am retired police officer from NJ. Many years ago in nj, law enforcement and firefighters were PREVENTED from running for government office. My grandfather, who was a firefighter and wanted to run for office, took them to the court and created case law overturning the law. Now you can run but you have to take a leave of absence and you must be granted the leave.
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