10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, October 4, 2008
By CHRIS RICHARD
The Press-Enterprise
Two San Bernardino City Council members are questioning Police Chief Mike Billdt's bid to name a new police captain, part of a department-restructuring plan that the council approved last summer.
The council will take up the question at Monday's meeting.
City Council members approved the restructuring, which consolidates patrol areas and creates a fourth captain's position, in July. But on Sept. 2, council members tabled action on Billdt's nominee for the position, Lt. Brian Boom, after Councilwoman Wendy McCammack voiced concerns about Boom's leadership in his current assignment.
Boom supervises Sgt. Brad Lawrence, a narcotics squad supervisor accused by another sergeant in July of arresting suspects without probable cause. Lawrence was placed on administrative leave six weeks later, after unrelated allegations that he also supervised an improper narcotics search.
"I have some more information to gather before I make my decision," McCammack said. "I'm going to be sure, with all of the accusations that have been flying, to review high-level promotions much more carefully than I have in the past."
Boom could not be reached for comment.
Councilman Rikke Van Johnson said he's not prepared to endorse any new top-level managers.
"Since we've got all this upheaval in the Police Department, I wouldn't want to promote anyone until we get a new chief in there," Johnson said.
Last month, police union members approved a no-confidence resolution against the chief by a 3-to-1 margin. Union leaders accuse Billdt of taking too long to investigate citizen complaints, failing to follow a consistent policy on investigations when officers are accused of crimes and showing bias in non-criminal personnel investigations.
Councilman Tobin Brinker noted that the union also has opposed Boom's promotion.
"Obviously, I'll take the union's position into account," Brinker said. "But if you're going to override a promotion recommendation from a manager, you'd better have a very good reason for doing that, because essentially you'd be saying to your manager, 'I don't trust your decision.' "
Union President Rich Lawhead questioned Brinker's description of a particular focus on Boom.
"It's not necessarily Boom," he said. "We don't want the chief to make any more management changes in the department that will be here after he's long gone. We don't need any more of that kind of management."
Billdt said he plans to move forward with the promotion as scheduled.
Reach Chris Richard at 909-806-3076 or crichard@PE.com
Showing posts with label san bernardino police chief mike billdt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label san bernardino police chief mike billdt. Show all posts
2008-10-03
Union urges S.B. police to take time they need on calls
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, October 3, 2008
By CHRIS RICHARD
The Press-Enterprise
PDF: Read the letter from the San Bernardino Police Officers' Association
The San Bernardino police officers union, seeking to force Chief Mike Billdt's ouster, has urged members to take the time they need on calls, advice that could have the same impact as a prohibited work slowdown.
"We're not doing any kind of job action," union President Rich Lawhead said. "It's not slowing (officers) down. It's just telling them, 'Hey, you have to watch out for your family and yourself, because nobody else is.' "
Mayor Pat Morris, who appointed the chief and has publicly defended him against union criticism, said late Friday afternoon that he hadn't seen the letter.
It was distributed late Thursday evening.
Morris said he expects officers to do their duty.
"The members of our Police Department have always met high standards of accountability and professionalism, and I'm sure they will continue to do so," he said.
Billdt could not be reached for comment.
The union contract forbids strikes and slowdowns, said attorney Dieter Dammeier, who signed the letter.
But it advises union members to make sure they work in pairs, stay together until assignments are complete, and never respond to calls without backup.
Burglary investigations should be "very thorough," and detectives need to ensure the public receives "the thorough and complete and necessary follow-up attention that they deserve," the letter notes.
"We are not asking you to not do your job or curtail or restrict your activities," the letter states. "We are concerned that given current management's recent actions toward our members that you limit your exposure."
Last month, union members overwhelmingly approved a resolution of no confidence against Billdt.
"It sounds like they're asking for a work slowdown to me," said homicide Sgt. Dave Dillon, who opposed the resolution.
"It makes it sound like we're in danger, which we're not," Dillon said. "We look out for each other. The ones this is going to hurt are the residents we serve."
Reach Chris Richard at 909-806-3076 or crichard@PE.com
By CHRIS RICHARD
The Press-Enterprise
PDF: Read the letter from the San Bernardino Police Officers' Association
The San Bernardino police officers union, seeking to force Chief Mike Billdt's ouster, has urged members to take the time they need on calls, advice that could have the same impact as a prohibited work slowdown.
"We're not doing any kind of job action," union President Rich Lawhead said. "It's not slowing (officers) down. It's just telling them, 'Hey, you have to watch out for your family and yourself, because nobody else is.' "
Mayor Pat Morris, who appointed the chief and has publicly defended him against union criticism, said late Friday afternoon that he hadn't seen the letter.
It was distributed late Thursday evening.
Morris said he expects officers to do their duty.
"The members of our Police Department have always met high standards of accountability and professionalism, and I'm sure they will continue to do so," he said.
Billdt could not be reached for comment.
The union contract forbids strikes and slowdowns, said attorney Dieter Dammeier, who signed the letter.
But it advises union members to make sure they work in pairs, stay together until assignments are complete, and never respond to calls without backup.
Burglary investigations should be "very thorough," and detectives need to ensure the public receives "the thorough and complete and necessary follow-up attention that they deserve," the letter notes.
"We are not asking you to not do your job or curtail or restrict your activities," the letter states. "We are concerned that given current management's recent actions toward our members that you limit your exposure."
Last month, union members overwhelmingly approved a resolution of no confidence against Billdt.
"It sounds like they're asking for a work slowdown to me," said homicide Sgt. Dave Dillon, who opposed the resolution.
"It makes it sound like we're in danger, which we're not," Dillon said. "We look out for each other. The ones this is going to hurt are the residents we serve."
Reach Chris Richard at 909-806-3076 or crichard@PE.com
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