Former Police Chief Speaks Out

The day after former Meridian Chief of Police Chris Read went on a podcast, his comments about the current state of the city are causing quite a stir in the community.

The former chief was interviewed by the “Mornings with Scotty Ray and Candance”. One the things he talked about was the lack of communication between the administration and the public:

“This administration’s biggest downfall is going to have a trickle-down effect for the next four years”, stated Read. “Their biggest downfall is no communication with citizens who put them in that seat. When you don’t communicate they have no confidence whatsoever"

Photo: Chris Read

Twin States News took to the streets, and we found some people who agree with what the former chief had to say in his interview:

“When the public see’s your face and sees that you mean business it makes a big difference”, explained a Meridian resident. “It’s better to inform than not to inform at least they know where you stand, what you’re trying to do, or where you’re going”

The number of officers on the force has been a hot topic in Meridian. In his interview, Read said there are only 26-28 officers now available to make arrests.

One person we talked to believes there should be more officers on the force in Meridian, considering the size of the city:

“I think we need more on our police force because the crime in Meridian has gotten so out of control that the those of us who need and feel as though we should have protection may not be getting it”

People in the community tell us no matter who’s in charge, what they would like to see is at least some improvement in police protection.

“What I would like to know is what is the difference between this leadership and past leadership? I don’t feel like the crime has changed at all. I feel like it is exactly the same. I feel like it be the same for the last 15 years”

So far, current Police Chief Deborah Young has not responded to the claims made by former Chief Read.