If officials in Calumet City are serious about getting rid of thugs in the city, maybe they should start with City Hall.

It's a harsh word, but I don't think it's out of line to describe what lawyers and the city's electoral board did to police Sgt. Pam Cap, who wanted to run again for mayor in February and again take on incumbent Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush.

The three-member board voted Thursday, on the advice of attorney Burt Odelson, to deny Cap that chance.

Now Qualkinbush runs unopposed, and the $1.5 million Cap says Odelson's law firm collects annually from the current administration for legal services is safe.

Not even King Bob Stefaniak, who ruled the city from 1972 until 1993, tried such high-handed tactics when police Officer Ron McHenry ran for mayor against him in 1981.

No surprise, Stefaniak mopped the floor with him, but McHenry said in an interview shortly after the election that, "I didn't see any underhanded, dirty dealing. Nobody called me and threatened me with my job and there has been no harassment."

There was no objection raised in 2005 when Cap challenged Qualkinbush, but although Cap lost, she apparently came too close for comfort. And that was a three-way race. In a head-to-head contest there was apparently no room for an error like letting Cap run.

I'll be honest. I don't like city workers of any stripe in office. I think it presents an obvious, inherent conflict when an alderman or councilman or mayor has the say over things like salaries, benefits and promotions of themselves and their friends and supervisors.

Cap had pledged to resign, but the electoral board said that wasn't enough. They said she should have quit before running or take a leave of absence, not just use vacation days to campaign.

But if this is such a concern now, as it apparently has become, why was it not a concern in 2005? Or 1981?

Illinois Fraternal Order of Police President Ted Street said it's not an issue because police officers are permitted to run for office, and Cap's lawyer is preparing an appeal although the election is Feb. 28.

It's happened before, and not only with Cap and McHenry. The 50-member Chicago City Council at one time had at least three city police officers as aldermen, and one -- Pat O'Connor of the 40th Ward -- is still an alderman. They are required to take a leave of absence in order to avoid a conflict.

I smell a conflict too. Only it has more to do with $1.5 million than it does with Cap.

The opinions are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at markk@nwitimes.com or (219) 933-4170.