Top cop changes his mind: Former Detroit police chief speaks out for marijuana legalization

[marmar]

from the Detroit Metro Times:



Top cop changes his mind
"Ike" McKinnon says it’s time to take a public stance

By Larry Gabriel
Published: November 2, 2011


It's a surprise to hear that Dr. Isaiah "Ike" McKinnon, Detroit's former top cop, believes that marijuana should be legalized and is speaking out on the issue.

"I've never taken a public position on this, but I think it's time to do so," McKinnon says. "We have to stand up for things we believe are right. ... My position is, let's look at this realistically and honestly. Too much law enforcement money and resources are being used on this. There are better things to spend our money on."

McKinnon was a Detroit Police officer from 1965 to 1984 and Chief of Police from 1993 to 1998 during Mayor Dennis Archer's first term. While serving as chief, he met secretly with southwest side gang members to create athletics and tutoring programs, talked a woman down from jumping off the bridge to Belle Isle, and did the same for a man threatening to jump off the People Mover. After retiring from the police department, Dr. McKinnon took a position as associate professor of education and human services at University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and became a motivational speaker. His position that marijuana should be legalized joins that of a growing group of former law enforcement officials who have come to the conclusion that our drug policies have to change. It's a tough transition to make for a police officer who has been trained to believe just the opposite.

"Most people who were on the other side of this, it's not like, 'OK, now I'm on this side,' it's a slow process," says Neill Franklin, executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). "I'm just happy he's acknowledging these things about marijuana. It's a great start. I definitely applaud him for that. It's challenging for people. Most police are in it because they want to do good for their communities. To come to the point where you think all of this work in drug enforcement has really been problematic for my community, it's kind of hard to swallow." ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://metrotimes.com/mmj/top-cop-changes-his-mind-1.1226308

[ixion]

1. Indeed. Prohibition DOES NOT WORK. End the Drug War.

Thanks for saying so, Mr. McKinnon.

[Fumesucker]

2. Yep, once their careers are safe then they can speak out.

I'm glad the guy is speaking out but it would have had a lot more impact if he had had the courage to speak out while still the top cop.