File this under the label of "rich irony"...
By Bianca Prieto And Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News
February 8, 2007
Black community leaders and officers are decrying the Denver police chief's decision to pass over a highly qualified black commander for a top leadership position.
So the diversity shoe is on the other foot and the black community doesn't like it.
Chief Gerry Whitman told officers Tuesday that he plans to promote District 1 Cmdr. David Quinones to division chief of special operations on Feb. 12.
Several leaders in Denver's black community said Wednesday they were stunned Keesee was not chosen for the division chief job.
They were stunned, stunned I say. I guess race quotas and diversity sensitivity are good only when a white guy is getting passed over in favor of a black guy, but bad when a black is getting passed over for a Hispanic.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper defended the chief's choice, saying both Quinones and Keesee were well qualified.
"You appoint the best person you can find," said Hickenlooper. "For this particular job, who has the right skill set?"
Who knew that ability and qualifications play a role in promotions and not just skin color?
Manager of Safety Al LaCabe said Wednesday night that other citizens who participated in the advisory process "feel that their input was very much respected."
LaCabe, who is black, pointed out that the decision to promote Quinones allows a Hispanic officer to rise into leadership.
"You can't reach the conclusion there's no commitment to diversity because one appointment disappoints people," LaCabe said.
The Black Police Officers association called the decision "a travesty."
Why, it's almost as if promoting a person regardless of ability, but because of race is unfair to everybody involved. Who knew?
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