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Shredding event a hit with area residents in state Rep. Gerald Mullery’s district

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Bingo nights raise funds for Swoyersville fire department

As if a Jekyll-Hyde character, Wilkes-Barre Police Chief Marcella Lendacky spawns contradictory stories.Appointed as the city&#8217;s top cop earlier this year, Lendacky supposedly lacks the skills to be an effective leader, certain, mostly anonymous, people who purport to have insider knowledge would have the public believe. One union grievance filed in February practically portrays her as a she-devil, alleging the chief has engaged in a relentless pattern of retaliatory actions against the union president.Other people, including former police chief-turned-mayor Tony George, express total confidence in her abilities to guide the 80-plus person, male-dominated department as it serves and protects Luzerne County&#8217;s largest city.As observers, we don&#8217;t know what to believe.However, we question if the pushback over Lendacky&#8217;s latest assignment, after 27 years on the force, stems largely or partly from sexism.In 1989, Lendacky became the third woman ever hired to the city&#8217;s police department. She rose through the ranks, making city history as the first woman to serve as lieutenant, then chief. &#8220;I know I&#8217;m going to have some resistance,&#8221; she told reporters upon her appointment in January. &#8220;I&#8217;m a little bit used to it.&#8221;Her critics deny gender plays a factor. Let&#8217;s hope that is the case. But, if so, they could improve their stance by choosing to focus on a few of Lendacky&#8217;s supposed leadership shortcomings or blunders, then provide full specifics, rather than faulting her every action. An anonymous letter set the tone as far back as December, blasting the chief-in-waiting and predicting her promotion would be a morale-buster.&#8220;We believe many officers will bring issues with her public, which will make us all look bad,&#8221; the letter stated.For the safety of everyone who lives in or passes through Wilkes-Barre, including those paid to patrol it, the Lendacky controversy must be put to rest quickly. As with most disagreements, communication will be key. For starters, if anyone on the force, or outside it, has verifiable evidence of wrongdoing, share it with the appropriate investigative body.Forthright conversation also could clear up these questions:&#8226; If officers had &#8220;issues&#8221; with Lendacky&#8217;s work performance that would &#8220;make us all look bad,&#8221; did they properly raise red flags before she was on track to become chief? If not, why not?&#8226; How is Chief Lendacky implementing the mayor&#8217;s law-and-order strategy, on which he based his election campaign last year? It&#8217;s past time to offer details on the George administration&#8217;s public safety plan.&#8226; Why doesn&#8217;t the mayor telegraph and explain his decisions before trying to implement them and inciting backlash? On matters such as his choice for assistant city solicitor, police chief and an ambulance-response plan, George could have first told city council and other involved parties: This is what I plan to do, this is why it&#8217;s the best option for the city and this is when to expect to see the change. The police union&#8217;s members, among others, reportedly feel out of the loop on matters that impact them daily.The parties involved in Wilkes-Barre&#8217;s dustup over who wears the police chief&#8217;s badge should resolve their disagreement as soon as possible.After all, a police officer&#8217;s job carries enough inherent risks and challenges, he &#8211; or she &#8211; shouldn&#8217;t be distracted by office politics.

Our Opinion: Resolve infighting among Wilkes-Barre Police Department – for everyone’s protection