A few months ago I set up a private forum for my co-workers. I have really enjoyed it up until recently.

I know that people aren’t going to see my point of view on everything. I don’t expect them to, I don’t really even want them to. I just want them to respect my opinion and realize that sometimes what is right isn’t always what is best. Also, I am the “buck” for this website. Everything stops with me. I am the one who owns the site, and ultimately, I am responsible for what does or doesn’t happen there.

With great power, comes great responsibility.

Recently, an officer was promoted to the rank of captain. This person is married to the former president of our guild. (A guild is like a union) This former president served with dignity and honor for many years, and had a hand many actions that were a positive outcome for the officers involved. He recently accepted a position with a local law enforcement agency. According to our by-laws this former president is still a member of our guild: he is considered an “honorary member”. He has had full access to my officer website for the last month, and not one person has complained. NOW, in the last day since his wife has become a captain, he is considered a security risk.

I know all of the reasons to not allow him access. I know that he could show the captain the site if he wanted, and I know that people are afraid because of it. It just doesn’t feel right to kick him off due to something he has nothing to do with. He has proven himself trustworthy with some of our officers most intimate secrets. He has helped numerous officers with professional problems, and many officers have received benefits for things that he has done that they weren’t even aware of. He spent countless hours on his off-time dealing with officer issues, and never complained about it. Now, that his wife is captain, he isn’t to be trusted.

It just doesn’t feel right.

I also know that if the majority of people feel that the site is useless, as long as he has access, it will become useless. I am not happy about this. I am not excited to make a decision concerning this. Whatever I do, I will make people unhappy.

I have seriously considered shutting down the officer site. This whole experience has left a bad taste in my mouth, and it’s all because of something I have no control over. I just don’t know what’s right.