Anyone heard anything on what's going on with the police chief search? Have they made an announcement on the internal candidates yet? Please tell me they are going external!
In the Saturday story in the World about declining crime rates (World story (//%22http://www.tulsaworld.com/NewsStory.asp?ID=070217_Ne_A1_Crime23934%22)) Chief Been seemed to be saying that now that they have a few more officers, they've solved all the problems in the department. I know some people who were involved in all that mess under LaFortune, and I don't think a lot of "civilians" are aware of how deep those conflicts run. It's going to be awhile before they are able to function as a whole. (I mean these are guys who were described in an official report as "hating" each other and refusing to give each other crucial information -- no wonder crime was spiraling around them as they squabbled!)
That's why I really, really hope the mayor has the guts to do the right thing and look outside the department for a new chief. I know the FOP endorsed Taylor, and I'm sure the union is going to be putting some heavy-duty pressure on her, so it might be too much to expect from a politician that she stand up to her strongest campaign supporters!
But we've got to have not just a well-qualified, excellent leader -- we need someone who can unify what's been a pretty dysfunctional department and move them forward, and there's no way one of the three internal candidates can do that!
We've got a lot of good people in the department, but we aren't ever going to see the results of that if we don't get someone good at the top.
There is an arguement that the mayor cannot hire from outside the Tulsa Police department without violating the City of Tulsa Charter.
Ref: Article X Sec. 6.5
"SECTION 6.5 POLICE OFFICER PROMOTIONS. Only sworn police officers of the City may take promotion examinations for sworn police officer positions."
If a internal candidate chose to file a grievance over the mayor promoting an outside candidate to Chief of Police, she would have to defend herself against this charter violation. It might be hard or impossible to do. The section looks pretty straight forward to me.
Are there any contenders for Chief willing to end the city's sanctuary policy in regards to illegal immigration?
quote:
Originally posted by MH2010
There is an arguement that the mayor cannot hire from outside the Tulsa Police department without violating the City of Tulsa Charter.
Ref: Article X Sec. 6.5
"SECTION 6.5 POLICE OFFICER PROMOTIONS. Only sworn police officers of the City may take promotion examinations for sworn police officer positions."
If a internal candidate chose to file a grievance over the mayor promoting an outside candidate to Chief of Police, she would have to defend herself against this charter violation. It might be hard or impossible to do. The section looks pretty straight forward to me.
Wouldn't she sidestep that issue by appointing? The article says that the promotion examination may only be taken by sworn officers but in this case she would be appointing which bypasses the promotion process. Just thinking like a lawyer for a few seconds (which really hurt!).
I thought the city council clarified the hiring practices back in December.
The Mayor asked the council to clarify the procedure of looking internally first, but allowing externally. If I remember right, the issue talked about the legal department, but I think would still apply to the police department.
quote:
Originally posted by MH2010
There is an arguement that the mayor cannot hire from outside the Tulsa Police department without violating the City of Tulsa Charter.
Ref: Article X Sec. 6.5
"SECTION 6.5 POLICE OFFICER PROMOTIONS. Only sworn police officers of the City may take promotion examinations for sworn police officer positions."
If a internal candidate chose to file a grievance over the mayor promoting an outside candidate to Chief of Police, she would have to defend herself against this charter violation. It might be hard or impossible to do. The section looks pretty straight forward to me.
Maybe I'm not a lawyer, but to me that just says only officers can take the PROMOTION examination. New hire is not a promotion.
Wasn't Ron Palmer hired from outside the state......?
Well, this is what I am hearing...
If she certifies any of the three internal candidates it would be a promotion for them. Therefore, that section in the city charter would be in effect. If she does not certify any of the candidates, and one challenges the certification process then it would also end up in court. There are clear criteria for a person to be eligable for the chief's position. There is also another section in the City Charter that talks about appointments but I will have to look it up later.
Some people I've talked to believe that city legal dropped the ball on the hiring practice issue. They stated the section they changed did not cover police and fire employees. This may have been an oversight by City Legal.
The city did hire Ron Palmer from outside the city. This was done after Drew Diamond was the Chief of Police and the FOP had a vote of no confidence in him. As a result, the FOP decided it would be better for the department to go outside for a new chief. Also, no internal candidates wanted to file a grievance over the matter. This time, I don't think that will be the case.
What the mayor could do to stay in agreement with the charter is hire a police chief from within then create a new position, a "police commisioner" to oversee the police department including the chief. She would have to find some money in the budget but people I've talked to say she could do it.
quote:
Originally posted by MH2010
Well, this is what I am hearing...
If she certifies any of the three internal candidates it would be a promotion for them. Therefore, that section in the city charter would be in effect. If she does not certify any of the candidates, and one challenges the certification process then it would also end up in court. There are clear criteria for a person to be eligable for the chief's position. There is also another section in the City Charter that talks about appointments but I will have to look it up later.
Some people I've talked to believe that city legal dropped the ball on the hiring practice issue. They stated the section they changed did not cover police and fire employees. This may have been an oversight by City Legal.
The city did hire Ron Palmer from outside the city. This was done after Drew Diamond was the Chief of Police and the FOP had a vote of no confidence in him. As a result, the FOP decided it would be better for the department to go outside for a new chief. Also, no internal candidates wanted to file a grievance over the matter. This time, I don't think that will be the case.
What the mayor could do to stay in agreement with the charter is hire a police chief from within then create a new position, a "police commisioner" to oversee the police department including the chief. She would have to find some money in the budget but people I've talked to say she could do it.
So if the FOP wants someone from outside, it's okay, but if the FOP doesn't, then we'll whup up the mayor in court?
Sorry, can't have it both ways.
You gotta follow the rules. The city charter is pretty specific. Just because something wasn't challenged in the past doesn't then make it legal. The mayor can change the city charter anytime she wants. She just has to take it to a vote of the people.
I predict the mayor and police union will confer before a decision is made. It's not like the two parties have bad blood between them.
Remember this story about how the police department was split into two factions?
This was the consultant's report after LaFortune removed Chief Been.
http://www.kotv.com/files/mayor-tpd-davebeen-report.pdf
Page 8 talks about how officers hate each other.
The Mayor is looking at outside candidates now.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/NewsStory.asp?ID=070224_To_A1_Polic18894
Police chief search expands By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
2/24/2007
Mayor takes search national after considering internal candidates
Mayor Kathy Taylor has decided to look outside the Tulsa Police Department to find the city's next police chief.
Deputy Chief Bill Wells, Maj. Rob Turner and Maj. Paul Williams were the three internal candidates who applied in January for the job. They were certified as meeting at least the minimum qualifications and were each interviewed by the mayor twice.
"I appreciate these three internal candidates stepping forward to offer their service in this capacity," Taylor said Friday in a prepared statement. "But our city is faced with serious issues regarding public safety and these issues demand new and innovative solutions," she said. "After listening to hours of input and reviewing hundreds of e-mails from Tulsa citizens, I must seek the person who will bring needed systematic change to the department."
Taylor said she is moving forward with a national search. "This is about excellence," she said. "This is about hiring the very best person for the job because public safety cannot and will not take a back seat in my administration."
Mayoral spokeswoman Sheryl Lovelady said Taylor is still working on the timeline for finding Chief Dave Been's replacement before his planned May 1 retirement. The city has hired a California-based executive search firm, Bob Murray & Associates, which will advertise the position nationally, Lovelady said.
Wells, a 32-year veteran of the department who served as acting chief last year while Been was on administrative leave, declined to comment. Turner, who has 28 years on the force, and Williams, who has 26 years of service, were unavailable for comment. Wells and Turner were among the candidates in the last police chief search, conducted by then-Mayor Bill LaFortune in 2002.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 93 President Darin Filak said he learned of the mayor's decision late Friday afternoon. "We're going to look at the options and see what the next step would be," he said, adding that he doesn't know whether any of the internal candidates will want to file grievances. "All of the candidates are friends of mine. They're lodge members. All of them would have made good chiefs. Whoever becomes the new chief, we hope they move the department forward."
Internal candidates had to be considered before Taylor could look outside the department. Recent revisions to the city's hiring policies clarify that the mayor is allowed hire an external candidate even if there are qualified internal candidates.
In letters sent to each of the candidates Friday, Taylor said they could reapply during the external process but reasserted her authority to look outside. "While some may argue that I should select solely from internal candidates, I disagree," she said in the letters. "It is my affirmative obligation and within my authority to seek excellence whether it is within or outside of a department. I am confident that the merit system was not intended to restrict the city in the selection of the best qualified individual to lead the police department."
Taylor also addressed Tulsa's "unacceptable level of crime" in the letters. "Future leadership must be able to develop proactive and innovative strategies to measurably reduce crime while also creating stronger relationships between the TPD and our community partners," she said.
Been declined to comment about the the mayor's decision. When asked whether he would stay on the job if the search takes longer than expected, Been said, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
An independent investigation conducted last year during Been's administrative leave identified conflict and a "level of hatred" among the upper echelon of the department.
Some Tulsans who attended public forums held in December said they hoped Taylor would consider a woman or a minority.
After being reminded of the disarray in the TPD's upper ranks, perhaps going outside is best.
So, how about ending the sanctuary policy towards illegal aliens? How many more innocent Tulsans like Randy Burger (//%22http://kotv.com/special/reports/%22) will have to die at the hands of illegal aliens before the TPD ends this disastrous policy?
The police department can't change the laws regarding illegals. That's why other cities have passed city laws regarding immigration status so their police force and courts have something without having to rely on federal immigration to process them. If someone commits a crime (no DL, DUI, assult, etc.) they are arrested, regardless of their status. They are booked into jail. If the federal immigration doesn't pursue the immigration issues, the city has no jurisdiction regarding that, but they can still be prosecuted for their crime. They just won't be held just because they are not legally here.
As for the police chief, I agree with the mayor looking outside the department. To me, only limiting the field to three internal candidates isn't a wise decision. I agree, it's important to give them each full consideration. They have worked their way through the ranks, you'd like to assume they are in their position because they are qualified and can lead the department, but several of you have said it; the department is in turmoil. It's not just crime rates raising, it's internal. It needs a strong new leader. I personally have a hard time seeing a 20+ year TPD veteran coming in and having a fresh perscpective on the department. Limiting the city to 3 people in their search is just silly. If these candidates are quality candidates, they will hold up against external candidates as well. I think Palmer is an execellent example of fresh new ideas. I can think of several things he brought to the department: college degree requirement and computers in cars are two quick ones. Chief Been has done a wonderful job. I admire him and respect him, but I also think he has maintained the status quo from before his reign.
That's what drove me crazy about Bill LaFortune. The initial SWAT team report about the TPD brought up some legitimate issues that needed to be addressed.
But LaFortune bungled the situation badly when he suspended Chief Been. I got people up in arms and demanded that Been be reinstated. It really put the mayor (whoever it would have been later) in a bind in addressing those issues later.
It's yet another reason why I was astounded that a few otherwise-thoughtful Tulsans decided to endorse LaFortune for re-election.
IMO the TPD needs more than new blood, it needs a tummy tuck and organ transplants.
What was Congressman Sullivan's COS doing in the Mayor's office during the SWAT thang, anyhoo?
Has Been reversed the organizational changes made by his temp? Seemed like right after them changes several major positive developments occurred.
quote:
Originally posted by tulsa_fan
The police department can't change the laws regarding illegals. That's why other cities have passed city laws regarding immigration status so their police force and courts have something without having to rely on federal immigration to process them. If someone commits a crime (no DL, DUI, assult, etc.) they are arrested, regardless of their status. They are booked into jail. If the federal immigration doesn't pursue the immigration issues, the city has no jurisdiction regarding that, but they can still be prosecuted for their crime. They just won't be held just because they are not legally here.
Okay, here's one thing they could enforce which is painfully obvious: how about setting up a sting operation to bust whomever it is that is making the bogus immigration and social security cards.
Another easy thing that could be done is to require all businesses in Tulsa(or the state for that matter) to verify the legal status of employees through the Basic Pilot Program which is a free service through the feds.Local law enforcement can be granted the power to enforce immigration law. The feds will even pay for the training. This sanctuary policy only makes cops look like they are protecting and serving criminals.
I believe in promotion from within.It is a slap in the face to all the police officers who worked hard to get where they are at just to get kicked down by a liberal mayor who wants to hire outsiders.
quote:
Originally posted by jamesrage
I believe in promotion from within.It is a slap in the face to all the police officers who worked hard to get where they are at just to get kicked down by a liberal mayor who wants to hire outsiders.
Look who we have for a Mayor. Someone who worked in Oklahoma City in her last job and from the sounds of it was spending a lot of her spare time in Ft. Lauderdale. Doesn't matter she's got a mansion off 31st St.
Kathy Taylor's an outsider, so it doesn't bother her to step over local talent and fill positions with other outsiders.
Kathy Taylor's an outsider, so it doesn't bother her to step over local talent and fill positions with other outsiders.
She's quickly becoming the poster child for the very reason civil service was born in the first place.
Lets see. So far she has got rid of the following department heads: Legal, Gilcrease Museum, Police, Presiding Judge. Who have I missed? How many more are on the horizon? And notice how none have been filled yet. We'll see how committed she is to the best versus her buddies.
quote:
Originally posted by Wilbur
Kathy Taylor's an outsider, so it doesn't bother her to step over local talent and fill positions with other outsiders.
She's quickly becoming the poster child for the very reason civil service was born in the first place.
Lets see. So far she has got rid of the following department heads: Legal, Gilcrease Museum, Police, Presiding Judge. Who have I missed? How many more are on the horizon? And notice how none have been filled yet. We'll see how committed she is to the best versus her buddies.
OK, I'm guessing you just want to criticize Taylor, because I can't imagine you really think any of those people should still be in their jobs.
Let's go over this list: She got rid of a City Attorney who was universally regarded as an incompetent, arrogant buffoon and who almost singlehandedly cost the city a $13 million judgment (I say almost singlehandedly because he was aided in his incompetence by Larry Simmons, who she also had the presence of mind to get rid of.) The police chief removal was started and mangled by LaFortune -- again, is there anyone besides police union diehards who is going to claim that Been could ably lead the department at this point? Although both the judge and the Gilcrease director seemed to have MAJOR performance issues, the judge was fired by the City Council and the Gilcrease head was axed by the Gilcrease Board, not the mayor (in fact, she kept the Gilcrease director on City payroll.)
I would argue that a huge part of LaFortune's rather overwhelmingly bad job as Mayor was because across the board, he promoted incompetent people to management positions, and then left them there long enough that they were cemented in with Civil Service protection. The city would be a lot better off if Taylor had the ability to get rid of more of them. Unfortunately, they pretty much have to break the law, or be obviously guilty of gross negligence, before you can get rid of them. Forget term limits for elected officials -- I'd rather see term limits for ingrained bureacrats!
Go back and watch the Council meeting where the McGee settlement was discussed, everyone seemed to indicate that Deputy Mayor Tom "Boss Hawg" Baker deserved the credit for managing the settlement. Why isn't his head on the chopping block?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/mistymountainhop/boss_hog_sm.jpg)
During Mayor Bill LaFortune's years in city hall he also replaced many department heads. Some of these were probably just timing, but others were needed for new direction. During his four years I can think of these new department heads...police chief, legal, parks, riverparks, tulsa transit, and the airport. I am sure there were others that I can't think of. I don't remember any cry of foul back then.
Each Mayor should be allowed to find the right people to do the job and the employees should have some protection under civil service. It is a difficult decision to move people out of careers, but we need the best people possible to do the job.
I know two of the three internal candidates and I think they are upstanding members of our community and fine police officers. But the two reports that came out relating to handling the SWAT incidents and the suspension of Chief Been painted a picture of a very disfunctional police department. The reports said that top members of the police administration hated each other and there was two different camps.
The police department is clearly divided, with top deputies being promoted or included in information based on which side of the divide they are on. It was very apparent when Chief Been was suspended and then acting Chief Wells changed all the leadership positions to his supporters.
I don't know what happened to make this department split into two different teams of officers. I do know that promoting one team over the other will not solve the deep feelings found in the force.
Tulsa needs a police force that is focused on fighting crime and not fighting each other.
I didn't think the Mayor would make this tough decision to go outside because of her close relationship with the police union and their support of her during the campaign. But I am pleasantly pleased that she decided to try the only thing that will work to bring this police force together...bringing in someone from the outside to serve as the new Chief of Police.
Hearing Postponed For Accused Cop Shooter
Wednesday February 28, 2007 9:13pm
Posted By: Kevin King
Formal Charges Filed Against Alleged Cop Shooter
Tulsa - A man accused of shooting a Tulsa police officer in November has had his arraignment delayed a week.
Everardo Valencia-Tadeo is charged with shooting with intent to kill, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a controlled drug.
He was scheduled for an arraignment and motions hearing Wednesday afternoon. But, it was reset to March 8th at 9 a.m. It's the third delay in the case.
Tadeo was arrested early on the morning of November 12th after he allegedly fired five shots from a 9mm handgun at Officer Scott Osborn, one of which struck him in the chest. Luckily, Osborn was wearing a bullet-proof vest, which saved his life.
Tadeo was arrested a short time later.
Tadeo has been the focus of intense speculation since his arrest. Police wanted to know if he was in this country illegally. Assistant District Attorney Doug Drummond confirmed to NewsChannel 8 in November that Tadeo is being held for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, but couldn't tell whether or not he was an illegal alien.
This isn't the first run-in with the law for Tadeo. Court records show he pleaded guilty and received suspended sentences for driving under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident and driving without a license.
Tadeo remains in the Tulsa County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
http://tpdblog.typepad.com/tpdblog/2007/03/to_the_new_chie.html