The three top law enforcement officials in Kern County spoke to a group of students over the course of three days in the Bakersfield College Forum building.

Bakersfield Police Chief Bill Rector, Kern County Sheriff Mack Wimbish and District Attorney Ed Jagels answered various questions presented by students April 12-14.

Students had to write down their questions on a card, which were then read by history professor Ishmael Kimbrough.

Last semester when Rector spoke to a group of students, they were allowed to ask the questions themselves.

Rector spoke the first day and was followed by Wimbish and Jagels.

Questions asked ranged from topics about prisoner’s rights to officer-involved shootings.

Rector was asked: “What can be done to get help regardless of race?”

Rector responded, “Never would we not respond to a call because of ethnic background.”

He said that certain calls have higher priorities then others.

Another question for Rector was: “Do you answer to anyone above you?”

Rector responded jokingly, “Yeah, my wife.”

He then said, “I do have a boss: Alan Tandy, the city manager.”

Rector said most complaints to his department are for “officer interaction.”

Rector said that the department is trying harder to interact with the community.

Wimbish was asked the same question the next day about who he answers to and said he answers to the people.

He said that the sheriff is an elected position whereas the police chief is not. The police chief is appointed by city officials.

Jagels spoke on the final day of the law enforcement series.

One question asked of Jagels was: “Why is someone allowed to enter a courtroom without restraints?”

Jagels responded, “You don’t want to prejudice the jury against the guy. Judges are acutely sensitive to the possibility of being reversed.”

BC student Dennis Roberts, 32, who was there when Jagels spoke, said that the district attorney sounded like a college professor.

He said that Jagels came across well as far as knowing what he was talking about.