I'm wondering, who wants to take a job as top LE, if he has to start with the investigation of an old serial killer, who became discovered a decade too late through corruption, has probably acquaintances (if not like-minded "friends") in high places, who have a reputation to lose, and seems pretty relaxed the whole time?
It takes someone with a sturdy spine, sharp focus, and the ability to stomach facing corruption while carefully spot Cleaning, taking care not to flush out otherwise good team members who can bring the investigation forward in a protected environment, but can't do it and cope with active campaigns to corrupt them simultaneously. (Those will be the people who quit or retire and say they loved their jobs if it weren't for all the politics. The new commissioner has to keep them on, and protect them from politics.)
They have to be a very inspiring leader, and able to respond to and encourage only the good in people who want to investigate. In Rodney Harrison's case, it tended to be described as "class."
There are plenty of people who just go along to get along, and a fine leader will create an environment where their going along is helpful, not part of a cover up of corruption. The go along to get along persons could be some of the most productive and helpful team members. But they would not be good for this position of leadership. (And, of course! It's not the leaders who do the mass of real work, no matter the organization.)
The go along/get along person will be a bad incumbent for this SCPD Commissioner position, because it appears the pressures to stiffle the investigation are strong still. For example, when Rodney Harrison and John Ray presented evidence, there was a swift angry response, that included an impossibe directive. (Bring tips to LE, when that has not worked for tipsters). The rebuke inaccurately discredited the tip information. (Info via a victims' attorney is not as pure as from the FBI, perhaps, but it is hardly damaged goods. Ray has never been discredited with facts, and it's not like he represents the defendant. And he has supplied information better than journalists, because he has been able to put some witnesses under oath).
Rodney Harrison was right that progress was made before him, and that progress can continue to be made after him. It will take a strong Commissioner. It will take the public to hold those charged with doing justice to do just that.
MOO
Edited because my writing was less clear than usual, lol. Any question, ask and I'll supply a rambling explanation. It's what I do.
