Cal State professor says Chief Billdt pushed him to recant
Steve Tibbetts, a professor of criminology at CSUSB, reluctantly told me about an exchange he had with Chief Michael Billdt earlier this year. Billdt disputes Tibbetts' account of their conversations.
It was in February that Chief Billdt provided The Sun a new set of crime data, newly compiled, that seemed to indicate crime was at historic lows in 2007. We ran a story which reported the surprising new assertion. Pat Morris, at the time, made the public statement that San Bernardino residents were undoubtedly safer than they were 25 years ago, which was a shocking turnaround considering that less than two years before he ran for mayor on a platform that crime was out of control and he was the man to stop it.
The one dissenting voice in the story was professor Tibbetts, who questioned the methodology behind the city's new data, as well as its conclusions.
Once the story ran, the chief called Tibbetts boss, the department chair, to complain, Tibbetts said.
Billdt then contacted Tibbetts, and attempted to persuade him for more than two hours to see things his way.
Tibbetts did not.
According to Tibbetts, the chief repeatedly urged him to call the newspaper and disavow his comments by saying they were "taken out of context."
Tibbetts said that was not true, so he would not do it. The chief pressed. Finally, the chief told Tibbetts that he would call the newspaper on Tibbetts' behalf and tell the reporter that Tibbetts' comments were taken out of context.
According to Tibbetts, he was appalled by what he took as a suggestion that the
chief speak falsely on his behalf and he refused.
Billdt said Tuesday that he didn't remember it happening that way.
"I don't recall that being part of our conversation. I generally remember that it was very cordial and professional," Billdt said when asked whether he offered to call the paper on Tibbetts' behalf.
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One stark tale that some say is demonstrative of the chief's public relations tactics occurred in February, when Billdt and Mayor Pat Morris rolled out a new data compilation that seemed to show violent crime at a historic low. Morris said the city was safer than it had been two decades ago, despite coming off a summer marked by gun
violence.
One of the skeptical voices was Stephen Tibbetts, a criminology professor at Cal State San Bernardino.
Tibbetts questioned the city's new statistics, saying they may have reached faulty conclusions about community safety by using analytic techniques not commonly practiced by the FBI.
When the professor's comments appeared in the paper, Billdt called department chair Larry Gaines --Tibbett's boss - to complain, Tibbetts acknowledged in a recent interview.
Tibbetts called back, and he and the chief discussed the matter for more than two hours over the next three days, with Billdt repeatedly urging Tibbetts to call the newspaper and disavow his comments as being "taken out of context," Tibbetts said.
"I told him that I would not do this, because my quotes were not out of context," Tibbetts said. "He repeatedly tried to persuade me to make this call, but I refused."
Tibbetts added that the Billdt called his boss again this Tuesday.
Contacted Tuesday, hours before he was scheduled to go before the City Council, possibly to explain the numerous public crises in which his department is embroiled, Billdt rejected Tibbetts' account.
When asked whether he urged Tibbetts to call the newspaper, Billdt said, "No. It was my understanding based on our conversation that he believed that his comments may have been taken out of context in terms of what he was trying to convey," Billdt said. "So I suggested that he call the reporter, but I'm not sure whether he did that."
Both men say the conversation was cordial and professional. But Tibbetts said that at times the chief's persistence unnerved him.
"Near the end, he suggested that maybe he could call the newspaper and say he talked to me, and that my quotes were taken out of context," Tibbetts. "I said no, that would be inappropriate."
When told about the exchange, City Attorney James F. Penman was concerned.
"It's pretty scary if a person as powerful as a chief of police is calling private citizens and their employment supervisors in an attempt to get them to say or not say something publicly, if that indeed happened," Penman said.
Gaines came to the chief's defense, saying a hostile, powerful union makes leadership difficult.
"The police chief is in a very difficult position, Gaines said. "On the one hand you have a union with its own ideas about how things should run, and at the same time you have a number of officials with the city who are clearly sympathetic to the union. That puts the
chief in a very precarious situation."
But Tibbetts' account is no anomaly. Numerous allegations have surfaced in recent months that Billdt has made use of threats, favors and sheer force of position as leader of the county's largest municipal police department to forge consensus and further his agenda.
Morris, who promoted Billdt from interim status to the Chief of Police, has been a stalwart supporter amidst the growing controversies surrounding his leadership. He has credited Billdt in part for driving down crime and implementing effective policing. His chief of staff, Jim Morris, did not return calls Tuesday.
Initial reaction from others in city government ranged from unsettled to disturbed.
"I'm taken aback," 4th Ward Councilman Neil Derry said when informed of Tibbetts' comments. "This throws more fuel on the fire, and provides some substantiation of the complaints coming from officers."
Based on Billdt's history of using bully tactics and threats, I believe Professor Tibbetts account of events over Billdt's--hands down & without a doubt. That is classic Billdt- lies & coverups & threats.
He has called employee witnesses and told them what to say at civil service hearings regarding disciplined employees--with overt threats if the witness did not comply. I know, I received such a phone call when Billdt was Ass. Chief.
I have a lot of thoughts on this, but I will simply say this:
If Chief Billdt has the "onions" to call a professor (a private citizen) and bully, intimidate and harass in an attempt to get that person to retract comments...is there any doubt that Chief Billdt has the potential to do the same thing with his OWN employees...like...um...er...detectives investigating embarrassing and damaging evidence in the Operation Phoenix molestation scandal?
For some reason...the above comment was listed as anonymous.
It was submitted by Joseph Turner.
How many more examples do the Mayor, City Council and the citizens of San Bernardino need to realize that the Chief Billdt is out of control?
Initially, according to Mayor Morris, the Police Officer's Association's assessment of Chief Billdt was the result of a few vocal "malcontents." When 76% of the voting members of the Police Officer's Associatoin said they had no confidence in the Chief's ability to lead the organization, the Mayor and/or City Council decided that maybe the issues were more dire than originally thought. Now, you have the statement of a non-political "outsider" asserting that Chief Billdt tried to unduly influence him to alter his opinion in order to support Chief Billdt's lies.
Most people know that statistic can be manipulated to reflect any concept you wish to promote. Chief Billdt and Mayor Morris' attempt to manipulate the city's crime statistics is yet another example of the lies that are being forced down the throats of the City Council and the citizens of San Bernardino. The rank and file police officers know what a liar Billdt is. This is nothing new.
The fact that the Chief has the gall to try and manipulate a college professor into altering his findings and opinions is evidence of Chief Billdt's arrogance and meglomania.
Billdt manipulated his way into the Chief's position without having the integrity and personal fortitude to truly lead the police department. With the advent of the internet, what was once a proud organization and the "standard of excellence" in law enforcement, has now become a laughing stock across the country.
The only question that remains is how long Mayor Morris and the City Council will allow Chief Billdt to run rough-shod over the city. You have police officers who are working diligently to protect the citizens of San Bernardino. They are sacrificing their reputations and careers to bring these injustices to light, while two of the most influential politicians in the city (Mayor Morris and Chief Billdt)are running the city into the ground.
It's time for the City Council and the citizens of San Bernardino to stand up for what's right, ignore the retoric, and DEMAND that it's leaders, at every level, do what's in the best interest of the city and what they were elected/hired to do.
The benefit of our form of government is that each and every person has a voice. Make your voices heard. Hold your pubic officials accountable to you! If you believe that Mayor Morris and/or Chief Billdt are no longer beneficial to the city, call your council person and let them know! Government is here to serve you. You are not here for their benefit!!!!
The last paragraph, second sentence, should read "public officials" not "pubic officials." It's late and I'm tired. However, I think the "pubic" region describes where Billdt and Morris are operating from!!!!!! (Yes. I know I ended the sentence in a preposition. "I've been here 30 years. Sue me!")
Why would a civilian at the local college come forward and say or make charges that are not true? What does he have to gain by doing so? Is this a matter of the Chief said the professor said? The cloud over the entire OP & PD situation is only getting darker and bigger. It is apparent the Mayor will not or is not capable to fix this matter in a timely fashion for the betterment of the citizens and the City itself. The voters will have to stand up and be heard. Wilson’s departure should only be the beginning of the much needed house cleaning that is overdue. There are so many that are part of the problem that the solution is hard to see, find or implement. It will take a very bold individual (Mayor) to undertake fixing this issue and it will require the full support of the Council to be successful. We are not near there yet, but in 18 months we may be!!
It appears that a couple of councilmembers have the "onions" even though they are women to take the brave steps. Too bad the bobble head boys can't get it right. Maybe those and the Mayor are the 6 you need to hold accountable 14 months from now or sooner if the voters have the "onions".
Robert,
Is this story going to come out in print or will it only be on the blog? This is very significant.
Hey Robert, perhaps a online unofficial survey or straw poll of you rreadership should be taken on the confidence and trust of Billdt and the Mayor. Be curious to know where the readership stands on this issue.
Billdt is akin to Nixon during his final days in office. Desperate & neurotic.
I vote with the POA - no confidence in Billdt steering this ship to safe harbor - make him walk the plank. That rat, Wilson, has already jumped ship!
Why was this story not printed ? I think this is very important.
I take it Billdt called Lambert and threatend him also???!!!
If Billdt didn't call then the story should run...if he did call, then we will never see the story and everything Lambert said about free speech and free press is absolute HOGWASH!
Print the story or become the story Lambert!!!!
Mr. Rogers,
Why isn't this becoming a central issue to your blogs? You have an outsider, who has no apparent agenda, telling you that the Chief of Police tried to manipulate him into recanting his statements. This is better than insider cops telling you this is Billdt's SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).
Billdt's comment, "I don't recall that being part of our conversation" is very similar to Fred Wilson's statement, "I may have mispoke" when he was caught in a lie to the District Attorney's Office. Is everyone else blind? Billdt is a LIAR, a MANIPULATOR, and a piss-poor excuse for a Chief of Police. He is under-educated in relation to other Chiefs. He is out of touch with his subordinates and has surrounded himself with like-minded managers who will never challenge him to follow the "Core Values" or Police Officer Code of Ethics.
I'm frustrated. Everyone wants to talk about change and specific examples are being given as to why Billdt is as corrupt as they come, yet he is suspiciously silent. Could it be that he CAN'T defend his actions. It's been said he has meet with the Mayor and City Council "behind closed doors." What better arena to spin his web of lies, that way no one can challenge him or his INTEGRITY.
The officers of the SBPD know that even if Billdt leaves, the possiblility exists that one of his remaining henchmen will wield the death blow to their careers. Yet they are willing to speak out against the injustices because most of them believe in the concept of right and wrong. BILLDT IS WRONG! MORRIS IS WRONG! How many more times are we going to overlook these indiscretions.
At least Mr. Penman, Wendy McCammack, Ester Estrada and Neil Derry are willing to acknowledge that something has to change. Mayor Morris wants to bring in a mediator, to what end I'm not sure. That time has passed.
PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!!!
San Bernardino has the oportunity to truely be a "Phoenix" and rise from the ashes
If it will cost the taxpayers as much money as Phoenix to rise from the ashes, then we are in deep trouble. The best and cheapest way to solve the problem with the leadership at the top is to have five brave Council votes to say NO to everything the Mayor wants and five braver votes to put their own stuff on the agenda to REALLY turn this City around. THAT is how you do it until the Morris' are out of office. That is 18 months away and it can REAL expensive between now and then. But you are right, sick and tired, we are all sick and tired of being the laughing stock of the nation. We are sick and tired of attracting the worst of the worst in a national search because we have such poor leadership at the top. He may have been a good judge, but as a Mayor, god...we really need help!
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.
Mr.Johnson is right. the council halls need to packed to the gills. An effort is under way to have most police officers there, but the citizens of San Benardino need to be there as well in order to have an impact on our ignorant mayor
You're right J Johnson. It's time for the citizens of SB to come out on 9/15 and tell the Mayor and Council just how tired we are of all of the BS.
I just want to know will I have an opportunity to let the Council know just how afraid I am now of the Police who are suppose to protect me and my family and how I suppect our leaders of running and participating in a possible child porno ring. I'm tired of being MAD and AFRAID...
I've lived in SB all of my life and I refuse to allow someone like Mayor Morris, his toe sucking son and all of his Aaaaass Kiiissers ruin where I live.
Just because the Dog has 18 more months left to serve doesn't mean we can't put a muzzle on him.
I like the idea of the online survey about Billdt and Morris...........
to Shelby Harrison,
This blog is kind of like an online survey. Those willing to weigh-in are sending a resounding message.....Chief Billdt and Mayor Morris are out of touch with the citizens and the city employees.
Chief Billdt said he was "going to stay the course" (read maintain the status quo). Mayor Morris said he supports the chief and this is a "snapshot in time" (read maintain the status quo).
Joseph Turner mentioned a recall of the mayor. Either the Mayor recognizes the outrage and takes action or he leaves his head in the sand and does nothing. A recall is a viable option. If not, we'll wait until the 2009 election cycle and vote him out. Unfortunately, the city will suffer for another year if we wait.
Robert, Why won't your editors let you run the story?
If you want to give us an inside look at the Sun, fill us in on how a story with verified facts and incredible public interest can't be published.
After reading the previous post, I must repeat the following:
I take it (soon to be former Chief) Billdt called Steve Lambert and threatend him also???!!!
If (soon to be former Chief)Billdt didn't call, then the story should run...if the (soon to be former Chief)did call, then we will never see the story and everything Steve Lambert said about free speech and free press is absolute HOGWASH!
Print the story, or become the story Steve Lambert!!!!
Mr. Lambert,
We're all waiting. Did you succomb to Chief Billdt's pressure or are you a "reporter of the truth"? Mr Harrleson has posed the question. What's your answer?