Councilwoman questions SBPD plan

By Andrew Edwards on October 20, 2008 9:34 PM

First Ward Councilwoman Esther Estrada has some questions about a city plan to give outside advisors a look at the Police Department.

The Police Officers Association and nonsworn department employees have both voted no confidence in Police Chief Michael Billdt. Mayor Pat Morris has consistently supported Billdt, who plans to retire in March.

The possibility of giving third parties a view inside SBPD has been proposed one way to resolve the differences between police brass and the rank-and-file. Those third parties could end up being Cal State San Bernardino criminologist Larry Gaines and former Rialto and Fontana police chief Frank Scaldione.

But Estrada said Monday that a potential contract with Gaines and Scaldione to examine SBPD may have some flaws. She questioned whether it's wise to give Billdt or one of his administrators the power to supervise Gaines and Scaldione's review and also noted the contract's value - $24,500 - falls a mere $500 short of the dollar threshold that requires the council to vote.

"I'm not sure of the latitude and flexibility these individuals will have with their review," Estrada said.

Mayor Pat Morris said the contract would give Gaines and Scaldione a chance to examine three key issues that police union leaders have cited as sources of frustration. Those issues are SBPD's use of force reporting policy, the length of time it takes to complete internal affairs investigations and lack of a clear policy to determine when officers accused of misconduct are investigated by SBPD or external agencies.

"These were the key issues raised by the POA," Morris said.

Interim city manager Mark Weinberg said in response to Estrada's concerns that the contract has not yet been executed. He said he was presented with the potential deal mere hours after showing up to work on Oct. 15, his first day on the job.

"I need to step back just a little bit and find out what the will of the council is," Weinberg said.