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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Most officers have degrees

Gary Webbenhurst (March 7 letter) is apparently not aware that 67 percent of the officers of the Spokane Police Department have a college degree. Several officers have had graduate degrees in public or business administration, not to mention the number who have had law degrees and practiced law.

While I agree that it helps if the chief has a degree, it is not the end all for the position. The best chief the department had in my tenure did not have a degree. The last several chiefs from the outside with degrees haven’t worked out.

As for the Police Guild and the Lieutenant’s and Captain’s Association, they exist to bargain for wages and working conditions for their members. The unions also have the responsibility to represent their members as do other unions.

David Anderson, retired SPD captain

Spokane Valley

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