Given all that, we tried to ask Warshaw for specifics when he came to town last week for a public meeting featuring Godbee and his command staff. And even though he took to the podium to offer some brief remarks, Warshaw told us afterward that it is his policy not to respond to questions from the press.

In fact, even though the public was supposed to have been allowed the opportunity to query Godbee and other department brass at last week's public meeting, that didn't happen.

Instead, we were treated to a mind-numbing two hours of commanders offering up percentage points and explanations as to why they are or are not moving in the right direction.

Scott, the activist, was steaming afterward. He had a fistful of questions he wanted answers to, and had waited patiently to ask them. Why wasn't the promised Q&A allowed?

"We would have been here all day," was the response provided by Deputy Chief James Tolbert.

We get that the Police Department is in a tough spot, and it's only going to get tougher as the cash-strapped city is asking that a better job be done with fewer resources.

"This is going to be as difficult a time as any of us has ever faced on this job," Godbee told the troops last week.

"This is a leadership moment," he emphasized.

Chief, we hear you. We also realize the difficulties you and the department face. But ducking hard questions isn't exactly a hallmark of great leadership.

> Email Curt Guyette