Pivot Point: Small points to consider in the police captain-on-court matter

Wichita police captain Kevin Mears was charged with two misdemeanors Monday in connection with an incident at a Jan. 13 youth basketball game in Augusta.

That’s news, news that shouldn’t be overlooked. But a couple other items associated with the charge came Monday from Wichita police.

First, a news release identified Mears as the Wichita Police Department member charged. That’s a change in department procedure. A second change was putting Mears on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the Augusta proceedings. Last week, police had said Mears was on paid leave.

Both changes are examples of Chief Gordon Ramsay’s policy moves he emphasized in a Friday news conference. They’re good steps forward as the department, rife with recent credibility concerns, attempts to become more transparent with its decision making.

This story was originally published January 22, 2018 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Pivot Point: Small points to consider in the police captain-on-court matter."