Council Knocks Police Chief’s Report
On May 29th the city council received a report from the police chief on steps he is taking to implement the items outlined in the now infamous Nottley Report. At least four of the seven council members expressed disappointment with the report, and said so on the record at the council meeting.
This is a very simple issue in my opinion. The police chief, despite his efforts, is not able to provide forward thinking or direction for the police department because his leadership skills are not strong enough. Regardless of the reason for the leadership skill situation, the very fact that there is a “Nottley Report” and that it needs to be “implemented” is the result of twenty years of insufficient police department leadership. Perhaps it’s the city managers fault. Maybe the police chief is to blame. But does it really matter whose fault it is? The citizens of Rochester deserve better.
It is readily apparent that to most people that the city manager approves any and everything the police chief does. Therefore, this report, although signed by the police chief, is really issued at the hand of the city manger. So in reality, the council was knocking the city manager’s report, weren’t they?
I do not think that the city council has the time or the expertise to micromanage the police department. Unfortunately, based on the current stance of the city manager, that may be the only option for council to take if they want meaningful change. But is this really the direction this city and this police department needs to go?
What do you think?
May 31st, 2007 at 11:30 pm
What do I think?
Very Simple.
This City Council of ours has to finally come to grips with reality and fire Ken Johnson.
Ken Johnson is the direct cause of the quagmire we find ourselves in now.
He has been for over 15 years now.
It is time that Penny Crissman, Karen Lewis, Thomas Werth and David Katulic pull their collective heads out of the sands of time and do what everyone knows to be the right thing to do.
Fire our City Manager for letting the single most important Department after our Fire Department to become practically useless under his indirect but behind the scenes maneuvering of the Police Chief who was very happy to sit back and do nothing while collecting a very handsome salary plus benefits package.
It’s time to do what is right!
Ron Harman
248-770-9499
June 1st, 2007 at 8:36 am
Any manager worth his salt would have dealt with this problem a long time ago, if not, he should have been terminated. What the City Manager has done is “stick it” to the City Council that represents the taxpayers, and in essence ” stuck it” to the taxpayers. He also has verified by his actions and inactions that he supports poor leadership, ineffective command and that leads to the big question, WHY? Why does he find it necessary to keep Glynn around? What does Mr. Johnson accomplish by this? If the majority can see the problem, and it is the “old guard” that can’t, that just lends more credence as to why we need change. The Council has the authority now to fire Ken Johnson and they should. He is an employee at will. Any Council person who would support otherwise needs to answer directly to the taxpayers as to why they believe spending $21,000.00 was a good thing because the team of Johnson/Glynn didn’t do thier jobs (and neither did the “old guard” ) and still aren’t and why do they deserve these great salaries and benefit packages for non-performance?….Oh, sorry, I forgot, we pay them and they don’t care. The taxpayers have deep pockets and dang responsibility and accountability to anyone but thier friends.
I saw the report from Glynn—how embarrassing, even I could have done better with my limited knowledge.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:03 am
Thanks to both of you for stopping by this website and for adding your comments.