Joe Tarica should stay out of law enforcement’s affairs

Joe Tarica’s reaction to the fake news release put out by the Santa Maria Police Department (“Police, take note: Blue lies matter,” Dec. 4) reminds me of a writer trying to be a clever writer. Tarica seems to be the type of idealistic dreamer who, as firefighters rush to stem a roaring forest fire, is there admonishing them to not step on any seedlings.

While Joe, the journalist, foments over what he calls “an elaborate charade,” Chief Ralph Martin has more than Pulitzer-seekers to worry about. He’s dealing with death at the hands of another on a grand scale. And as for the reliability for the media to “keep a secret?” Hmmm, been there, tried that. Having supervised a media liaison unit for many years, I would say the risks were substantial if he brought too many into his plan. The operation seems to have been a success, and credit is due to Chief Martin.

And Joe, as to your “ideas” on the many ways Martin could have proceeded with this? You made a good decision to pursue journalism over law enforcement. Stick with it.

This story was originally published December 14, 2016 at 12:50 PM with the headline "Joe Tarica should stay out of law enforcement’s affairs."