To the editor:

I couldn’t agree more with the Journal-World’s May 29 editorial regarding the Lawrence Police Department. The department has new leadership in place and, hopefully, has put old scandals behind it.

Now is the time for substantive change.

The LPD is asking Lawrence taxpayers to foot the bill for a new $30 million facility. If the department wants taxpayer support for this project, I believe that it must now engage in sincere strategic planning, actively solicit input from residents and submit to the administrative audit proposed to the City Commission in 2009. Anything less is a deal breaker.

It is time for the department to grow up and demonstrate to taxpayers its commitment to accountability and openness. I encourage the residents of Lawrence to communicate with the City Commission regarding this issue. Transparency within the Police Department is long overdue.