Dikeman's proximity to law enforcement is disturbing
Letters to the Editor | from the Eureka Reporter | by Eric V. Kirk | Jun 4, 2006
Dear Editor,
If I was asked to cite only one reason I am voting for Paul Gallegos instead of his challenger, Worth Dikeman, it would probably be Mr. Dikeman’s response to Mr. Gallegos’ second debate reading of what seems to me a very innocuous and commonsense principle from the American Bar Association Standards for Criminal Justice: “prosecutors should take care to avoid any relationships with the police that might cast doubt on the independence and integrity of the office of the prosecutor.”
Mr. Dikeman answered only that the ABA standards are not “binding” (though they are recognized by the California District Attorney’s Association).
He did not bother to explain his philosophical difference with the provision. Would hiring an officer to manage his political campaign constitute a violation if it was “binding?” Holding press conferences to demand that Mr. Gallegos rush to conclusion on an investigation into police conduct?
I was hoping for an explanation as to why these examples do not constitute actions that would cast doubt on Mr. Dikeman’s independence and integrity. He’s had ample time to clarify. Apparently, he simply does not believe the prosecutor should be independent from the armed wing of law enforcement because no “binding” law forbids him to be so.
I find that very disconcerting.
Eric V. Kirk
Redway
