A glimpse into the time capsule
Below I have reposted an SBNOW exclusive, originally published on Oct. 3, 2007.
A brief prelude: This look at local history is striking. At the time, Councilman Tobin Brinker was still seen as a staunch police union supporter (they had pumped a lot of money into his campaign), and he surprised everyone by announcing that the Police Department was riven with internal problems.
He was ahead of the curve.
Also note Pat Morris' response to Brinker's concerns. He said Chief Billdt was in "daily contact" with the union leaders and that "there will always be tension between management and labor." Those are some of the same explanations Morris is using today, with the rank-and-file openly mutinous toward the chief.
Click below to read and gain some perspective on our current issues ...
(DATED: Oct. 3, 2007) SAN BERNARDINO - 3rd Ward Councilman Tobin Brinker may be the legislator with the least predictable stances on issues - which may be good for the "swing vote" position everyone knew he'd occupy when he won the seat last year.
But he was remarkably clear, and bold, during his opening comments at the Oct. 1 city council meeting.
Brinker said there's trouble in the Police Department ...
"I'm going to talk about a little bit of a touchy subject," Brinker began. "... even with all the resources we've brought to bear ... we seem to have some lasting issues that won't go away" in the police department.
Brinker went on. The crowd was rapt. Mayor Pat Morris, a strong proponent of Police Chief Mike Billdt and elected in part on his pledge to hold a "laser like focus" on crime, looked at Brinker to his right.
"Morale seems low," Brinker continued.
In all, his roughly 2 to 3 minute monologue was delivered in his typically diplomatic style, but had the unmistakable undercurrent of scrutiny on Chief Billdt.
It should be noted here that Brinker is a union guy through and through and received by far the most money in his 3rd ward race last year in part thanks to the local police union. He is also an active member of the Rialto teachers' union in the Rialto School District, where he works. He has never been averse to disagreeing with Mayor Morris, who is Chief Billdt's biggest supporter, and has never criticized the police rank and file, some of whom are Billdt's biggest nemeses.
Brinker said that despite all the resources - this council has pumped more than $7 million in new spending into the now $60 million plus department - the morale remained low.
He could have added that arrests are down and crime is up, as was first reported in this blog Monday.
Brinker said that Morris, as the foremost communicator with Billdt, "needed to have the conversation about what we can do" with Billdt and police union leadership.
"We have to address these issues, we can't just hide from them," Brinker said, an eyebrow raising description of the way city leaders have thus far handled the roiling dissent among union leadership and management, which has spurred multiple lawsuits.
"We need to reach out now" to the union, Brinker added.
Brinker then mentioned another media outlet making some comparison between Billdt and Los Angeles chief William Bratton.
Brinker didn't say he disagreed with the comparison, but did say Bratton was a "remarkable man," while admonishing that Billdt should take a more data-based policing approach.
We have to "have that conversation with our chief," Brinker urged.
Brinker even mentioned Sun reports revealing that police officers are buying and selling T-shirts which cartoonishly depict violent, deadly crime in the city as further evidence that something is awry in the department.
Morris responded to Brinker by saying he meets with union leadership and that Billdt is in "daily contact" with them. Morris also said "there will always be tension" between management and labor.
In this reporter's conversations with union members, there is a clear dissatisfaction with management. Whether that is inevitable, or normal, or something that reflects poorly on Billdt is not known, at least not by me. But it's there, along with the statistics showing arrests down and crime up in 2007 over 2006, despite the largest increase in funding in department history.
The T-shirt story struck a chord of interest with many readers, including Brinker. Many think it could be the tip of a larger iceburg.
Mayor Morris still doesn't get it. He's focussing on issues associated with the problem while ignoring the problem itself. The police department doesn't need a consultant to look at its policies and practices. It needs an honorable man to serve as its leader and model the way for all who serve the city.
Mayor Morris won't get it because HE is the problem. The police chief is just following orders of his boss as a good soldier will do. It's Morris who should go and all HIS loyalists will follow. That is how you clean the cronism, nepotism and poor leadership out of this city government.
It is funny how Brinker said one thing to get POA's money and support while running for election, say something quite differently for the past 6 months, basically spitting in POA's face, and now, only when it is politically prudent, says publicly the right thing. But how come he isn't one of the votes in private to expose the whole thing. No guts, no glory. He is NOT ahead of any curve. He is as self-serving as many other politicians are. It is all about re-election, Dummy.
Concerned mother of two,
When I said Brinker was ahead of the curve, I merely was referring to the fact that he was the first public official to say publicly that there was a festering problem in the PD, and that the chief was part of it.
Thanks,
Robert Rogers
Mr. Rogers: HE was the first? I guess listening to Channel 3 then is not helping me, but I know that Wendy lady has been talking about this for at least the 4 years I have been watching. I have seen her consistently question the Chief and also have heard neighbors (who must be PD employees) speak of the only city council person listening to the concerns of the rank and file officers. I am not sure what makes you think that Brinker is the first, but then again you must be new. At least give credit where credit is due.
Robert: just now noticed your responses to Serenah re: the helicopter grounding article. And figured since it was so old, you might miss the post. Since it was my suggestion and public request, I ought to know why I brought it forward and in fact absolutely yes, it was to save jobs. I am not sure how you got confused, but in fact it was to either keep more officers on the streets or now in fact to put more support staff back inside so more officers CAN get on the streets. I am sorry if you were misled, but that in fact is at least MY reasoning for the request. I am not sure why the other four chose to agree.
Thanks for that, Wendy.
I guess my problem is that Andrew reported, and I've reiterated, that no jobs were saved by the helicopter's grounding.
Is this true or not?
thanks,
Robert
I believe that it is important that all S.B. City citizens go to the city council meeting on monday 9-15, and have our say. It is obvious that Mayor Morris wants to ignore the issue and have to some other leader fix it. It is time to stand up Morris and take control of your department. For once take a stand and be a leader. This calls for making a decision. I will be at the council meeting to voice my opinion.
Mrs McCammack,
Please clarify.....is the helicopter is grounded. Will civilian employee positions within the police department be saved? I truly hope your answer is yes. The police department could get rid of the helicopter and a few supervisors in order to save civilian jobs. Hell, lets get rid of the chief, we have no leadership anyway!
Robert: I guess it depends what each councilmember's vote meant. My intention, the maker of the motion and presenter of the suggestion, was to save jobs which would put some extra "feet on the street". I am not sure who was at the council meeting when the motion was made, but if you listen to the tape, it is clear that we were "swapping the paid for helicopter with the free Sheriff's bird and then we could swap that money for either 6 sworn and 1 non-sworn" or at the most recent Ways and Means, we could instead save approximately 6 non-sworn community service officers. That was my intent. No other agenda. No axe to grind. Would I rather have all of the above, of course. But something had to give. Thanks for asking.
S & T: It is grounded after all the I's are dotted and T's are crossed. I cannot go public with the negotiations involved in the contract but suffice it to say, we voted 5 to 1 to ground it. Will we get what we voted for? We will know soon enough. BUT, we are still working on restoring at least 6 CSO's. We will know better Monday. We are trying very hard to fix this injustice. Please be patient, even though it isn't a good situation for anyone. Thanks for caring.
Councilwoman McCammack,
Thank you for sharing this information with readers.
Robert Rogers
I agree with Johnson, people need to attend Monday's meeting and voice their concerns about the Mayor's poor performance, Operation Phoenix's drain on the budget and Billdt.
Mrs. McCammack,
Thank you for your response. I'll admit I haven't been a big fan in the past, but admittedly, it's becuase I didn't follow city politics.
Your integrity and concern for the average person is enlightening. I'm starting to believe that you truly want to do the right thing.
Keep up the good work. People are relying on you!!!!!