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Patterson police chief reinstated
Patterson Police Chief Richard Anderson returned to work Monday.
The City council voted 5-0 to reinstate the chief with no “adverse action” during a called meeting last Wednesday night.
Councilman George Denison initially abstained from the vote, but reconsidered when he learned an abstention would count as a no vote.
The action came following a marathon five hour and 14 minute closed session to discuss personnel.
Anderson had been on administrative leave with pay since May 30 after grievances were filed against him by his two officers, Corporal Jason Strickland and Officer David Westberry.
Strickland and Westberry had alleged the chief had been negligent in his duties. Both said they felt the chief had violated the city’s policy manual and both said they feared for their safety because of the chief’s negligence.
Strickland’s main complaint centered around Anderson’s handling of a drug bust in late May on Oats Street, just off Tyre Bridge Road.
Strickland said Anderson had said he would not be present for the raid, showed up anyway, but did not participate.
Two of the suspects arrested in the case made bond and later threatened to kill Strickland when they returned to Patterson. Anderson reportedly made no effort to arrest the men following the threats
“He has violated several sections of the policy manual and I am concerned for my safety, the city and police employees and the public’s safety,” Strickland said.
In addition to those allegations, Strickland also said Anderson often declined to answer calls and repeatedly tended to personal business while on the clock and while using a city patrol vehicle.
The latter issue was the subject of Westberry’s grievance.
Westberry said Anderson had reprimanded him for conducting personal business while in a city patrol vehicle.
“I think the policy should apply to all employees or it should not be enforced at all,” Westberry said.
Anderson, accompanied by about a dozen family members and supporters, declined comment, as he has throughout the situation. His attorney, Adam Ferrell of Blackshear, spoke on his behalf.
“We are pleased with the outcome of the hearing and the result basically showed that the grievances were without merit,” Ferrell said.
The attorney said allegations made about the chief concerning him not supporting his officers is “simply not true.”
Ferrell did not address allegations about the chief performing personal errands or use of the city’s vehicle other than to say Anderson is a “dedicated police chief” for the city of Patterson.
“He has worked for the city for 13 years ” including eight as chief,” he said. “There has never been a single grievance filed against him in all that time.”
During the closed session, Anderson, Ferrell, Strickland and Westberry were all called in to speak with the council. No witnesses were called, however and no evidence presented ” other than the grievances.
Anderson, his supporters and Ferrell all left before the vote was taken.
Following the vote, Westberry questioned the council.
“You mean to tell me he’s the chief, there’s no reprimand and no adverse action whatsoever?,” he asked. “That’s unacceptable to me. Y’all let me down. That does it for the trust issue with me.”
Councilman Melvin Hollis said the council had to go by the information they had to work with.
“We could only go on what was presented in the grievances,” he said. “I know there are other things that have been going on and other issues that warrant our attention. We will deal with that.”
Council members agreed there would be “big changes” in the department, apparently stemming from this discord.
Councilman George Denison said a new set of guidelines would soon be put in place for the police department.
“We hope to re-organize the department to make it a good place to work,” he said.
Mayor Sammie June Thomas lamented the fact the situation played out like it has, but defended her handling of the situation.
“I know that the resolution probably satisfies and pleases no one,” she said. “I followed the city charter in handling the situation. I must do what the city council asks me to do.”
Thomas said there was written documentation on the problems prior to it reaching this point.
She noted prior to the decision by the council that the administrative leave with pay was standard in such cases. She said it allows the council time to investigate “things we don’t know enough about to make a decision.”
She noted there are different kinds of reprimands ranging from suspension without pay, salary reduction, demotion or dismissal.
“None of those things have occurred and some of them haven’t even crossed anyone’s mind.”
Westberry and Strickland left the meeting room soon after the decision was announced.
Westberry and Strickland initially indicated they may not remain with the department. However, Mayor Thomas said Thursday both men will remain with the city.
“I think all three of them will work things out and make peace,” she said.
Strickland was on duty Monday, but efforts to reach Westberry were not successful.
Thomas says the city council will draft a standard operating procedure for the department regarding use of city patrol vehicles, properly filling out time cards, filling out duty logs and other duties.
The City council voted 5-0 to reinstate the chief with no “adverse action” during a called meeting last Wednesday night.
Councilman George Denison initially abstained from the vote, but reconsidered when he learned an abstention would count as a no vote.
The action came following a marathon five hour and 14 minute closed session to discuss personnel.
Anderson had been on administrative leave with pay since May 30 after grievances were filed against him by his two officers, Corporal Jason Strickland and Officer David Westberry.
Strickland and Westberry had alleged the chief had been negligent in his duties. Both said they felt the chief had violated the city’s policy manual and both said they feared for their safety because of the chief’s negligence.
Strickland’s main complaint centered around Anderson’s handling of a drug bust in late May on Oats Street, just off Tyre Bridge Road.
Strickland said Anderson had said he would not be present for the raid, showed up anyway, but did not participate.
Two of the suspects arrested in the case made bond and later threatened to kill Strickland when they returned to Patterson. Anderson reportedly made no effort to arrest the men following the threats
“He has violated several sections of the policy manual and I am concerned for my safety, the city and police employees and the public’s safety,” Strickland said.
In addition to those allegations, Strickland also said Anderson often declined to answer calls and repeatedly tended to personal business while on the clock and while using a city patrol vehicle.
The latter issue was the subject of Westberry’s grievance.
Westberry said Anderson had reprimanded him for conducting personal business while in a city patrol vehicle.
“I think the policy should apply to all employees or it should not be enforced at all,” Westberry said.
Anderson, accompanied by about a dozen family members and supporters, declined comment, as he has throughout the situation. His attorney, Adam Ferrell of Blackshear, spoke on his behalf.
“We are pleased with the outcome of the hearing and the result basically showed that the grievances were without merit,” Ferrell said.
The attorney said allegations made about the chief concerning him not supporting his officers is “simply not true.”
Ferrell did not address allegations about the chief performing personal errands or use of the city’s vehicle other than to say Anderson is a “dedicated police chief” for the city of Patterson.
“He has worked for the city for 13 years ” including eight as chief,” he said. “There has never been a single grievance filed against him in all that time.”
During the closed session, Anderson, Ferrell, Strickland and Westberry were all called in to speak with the council. No witnesses were called, however and no evidence presented ” other than the grievances.
Anderson, his supporters and Ferrell all left before the vote was taken.
Following the vote, Westberry questioned the council.
“You mean to tell me he’s the chief, there’s no reprimand and no adverse action whatsoever?,” he asked. “That’s unacceptable to me. Y’all let me down. That does it for the trust issue with me.”
Councilman Melvin Hollis said the council had to go by the information they had to work with.
“We could only go on what was presented in the grievances,” he said. “I know there are other things that have been going on and other issues that warrant our attention. We will deal with that.”
Council members agreed there would be “big changes” in the department, apparently stemming from this discord.
Councilman George Denison said a new set of guidelines would soon be put in place for the police department.
“We hope to re-organize the department to make it a good place to work,” he said.
Mayor Sammie June Thomas lamented the fact the situation played out like it has, but defended her handling of the situation.
“I know that the resolution probably satisfies and pleases no one,” she said. “I followed the city charter in handling the situation. I must do what the city council asks me to do.”
Thomas said there was written documentation on the problems prior to it reaching this point.
She noted prior to the decision by the council that the administrative leave with pay was standard in such cases. She said it allows the council time to investigate “things we don’t know enough about to make a decision.”
She noted there are different kinds of reprimands ranging from suspension without pay, salary reduction, demotion or dismissal.
“None of those things have occurred and some of them haven’t even crossed anyone’s mind.”
Westberry and Strickland left the meeting room soon after the decision was announced.
Westberry and Strickland initially indicated they may not remain with the department. However, Mayor Thomas said Thursday both men will remain with the city.
“I think all three of them will work things out and make peace,” she said.
Strickland was on duty Monday, but efforts to reach Westberry were not successful.
Thomas says the city council will draft a standard operating procedure for the department regarding use of city patrol vehicles, properly filling out time cards, filling out duty logs and other duties.
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lew wrote on Jun 25, 2009 12:03 PM: