It is no surprise to me that the city intends to keep the results of an investigation into Chief John Manley's alleged sexual exploits secret.

Four years ago, I signed a complaint against a senior officer, and to this day, I have not been able to get the results of the investigation; if there was an investigation at all.

The city manager, assistant managers, and the police chief are one tight group. They spend much of the day in each other's offices chewing the fat. How can one investigate another?

What Rocky Mount needs is an independent police commissioner; someone who will listen to complaints in an impartial way.

I have firsthand knowledge of the lack of professionalism in the administration of some police activities and city business. There have been instances when police cadets have not had their previous employment verified, as well as city department heads being hired without an extensive inquiry into their background.

Just look at the revelations of the city's revitalization boss, Ian Kipp, who happens to be a hard-working and pleasant person, but was hired without a comprehensive background check.

The city and police department made it extremely difficult for me to operate my night club in a lawful and profitable way.

The police may have violated laws in their approach to a "crackdown on crime." Several times 10 to 13 officers barged into my club, surrounded the dance floor, and stood stone-faced for up to an hour. That really made customers feel comfortable!

I guess they were never told that they can't come into a private club unless they are invited. And I had fewer than five calls for the police in three years, unlike some clubs that have police calls several times per weekend.

On one occasion, the police came in with the ALE (Alcohol Law Enforcement). They entered like a SWAT team ready to shoot on sight. That night, a police captain gave false information to the ALE officer which resulted in my receiving a ticket.

The Alcoholic Beverage Commission later dismissed the charge with an apology stating there was no basis for the charge. As ridiculous as it might seem, the police department, ALE and ABC have different investigations of the alcohol laws. The only person who knows the laws and administers them rightfully is David Wooten of the Nash County ABC.

The police and the city council seem to think that night clubs are the root of crime, yet they allow practically anyone to open a club, then try to shut them down.

There is no ceiling on the number of clubs permitted within the city limits, and the alcohol for these clubs must be purchased from the state at a premium. My experience has been that the troublemakers spend most of their time at the liquor houses, where they drink tax free. When was the last time you heard of a liquor house being raided? The night clubs do not breed crime. They give honest, hard-working people a place to relax and enjoy the company of others. The criminal mind is developed way before someone enters a night club.

I lost my club partially due to the actions of the city police. I tried to run an adult club, but those patrons were intimidated by the constant presence of the blue uniform. So, I say to the police and city council, continue to take away legal gathering establishments, and revenue with gallop out of town along with its citizens.

Bill DeLello

Rocky Mount