Mayor says SBPD problems need new eyes
Mayor Pat Morris said this afternoon that he's open to the idea of bringing in a third-party consultant to examine SBPD's problems.
Strife within the Police Department has become public recently in the wake of the police union's vote of no confidence in Chief Michael Billdt.
Morris and union leaders met for several hours Wednesday night. Union leaders have accused Billdt of creating a paranoid atmosphere within SBPD by playing favorites within the department.
Morris said the breakdown in SBPD labor relations stems from disagreement on how SBPD handles use of force reports, internal affairs investigations and allegations of criminal misconduct on the part of officers.
"Perhaps in this instance because they (those issues) are so important to the officers and the community, an outside expert can assist us," Morris said.
The mayor described the policy differences between as reflecting of the difficulty police leaders have in maintaining "a critical balance between officers rights and morale and community trust."
The view from the Mayor's Office is that the Police Department's current problems are common in police forces across the country and that the current impasse between the chief and union leadership could exist if someone else other than Billdt served as chief.
The police union, however, says Billdt himself is central to SBPD's problems. Union president Sgt. Rich Lawhead said the rank and file is not relenting on their demands for Billdt's ouster.
"We told the mayor in no uncertain terms, that we were done with this chief" Lawhead said today.
Billdt was away from his office Wednesday. SBPD spokesman Lt. Scott Paterson said Billdt remains interested in keeping his job and reaching an accord with the union.
"What he has said in the past, and has commented on, is he is intent on working through the issues with the ... (union) and resolving it in a positive matter," Paterson said.
Finally some logical thinking is emerging from the 6th floor at City Hall. Now, who can they get that has absolutely no current or past ties to the City P/D or the Mayor / ex-Judge. Finding a totally neutral individual who is experienced in police department workings and organization will be a formidable challenge. If such an individual is found, the Mayor and Council MUST be ready to accept the investigation findings as well as the recommendations that will come with it. There must be no selective adaptation of this finding or that one. It may mean new faces are necessary. It has to be all or nothing and if they are not prepared for the outcome, why bother. Additionally the Police Union must also belly up to the table and face the music. They must accept this approach and the results. If they are found to be the problem (root cause) or a portion there of then action must be taken to correct the matter.
This will be a bold step in settling or curing the cancer that is eating away the productiveness and wellbeing of the SBPD. Perhaps a retired PD Chief of Riverside would be a good choice. The individual must be experienced with a PD as large as what is found in SB and also with a city as large as SB itself.
Let the hunt begin and the resolution be found.
Pleeeaasse! Here we go again. I guess the Mayor will find one of his cronies go through the pretense of conducting a fair investigation and then it's business as usual.
With the departure of Wilson, San Bernarnadino has a great opportunity to start fresh. Billdt needs to Man-Up and LEAVE.
bring back Baude
Bring back Baude !!!
Andrew,
Might the new eyes come in the form of a new police chief? What exactly does the Mayor have in mind?
I guess I misunderstood something, Robert. I thought it was Estrada who called for the meeting with the POA and that two other councilmembers were supposed to have participated. If that is correct, then why does the story read that only the Mayor met with the POA. Again, the Sun puts Morris on that pedestal like HIS actions are the saving grace. Had it not been for Estrada (and McCammack) pushing for the subpoenas because of what is thought to be a cover up by the Mayor and top PD administration over Operation Phoenix, the pressure would never have risen to this level where the Mayor who (cause he has nowhere else to hide) now sees the light and the wisdom of a few Council people. Without the ongoing pressure from a few wise councilmen (or should I say women) and some very BRAVE rank and file officers, this revelation the Mayor has now had, would NEVER have happened. Please try to include all the facts so that we readers get the WHOLE story. I am sure no harm was intended.
Observer: Do you mean what does the Council have in mind? This was NOT the Mayor's choice for a final resolution. I am sure the wiser of the council bunch figured this one out. But the Mayor has to, by the internal ego-drive he works from, at least look like the hero, don't you think? It is truly a shame that it took this long after many honorable, hard-working rank and file have left the department. Who IS ready to take over? I think they all retired early and for self-preservation.
BRING BACK BAUDE????? SCREW THAT! He's the epitomy of poor management skills and bad decision making. Get rid of every top executive in the city and start all over. No more personal agendas. No more crony-ism, nepatism, or any 'ism" of any kind.
Fred Wilson's already gone. He got his $40,000.00 raise and said "screw San Bernardino I'm going to the beach" anyway. Next, move to the "Honorable" Mayor Morris and his sidekick Jim (AKA Morris Jr.).
Chief Billdt, Capt. Kimball and Lt. "I really wanna be a Captain" Boom, need to go too. There are still some truly honorable Lt.'s at the police department, such as Lt. Taack, LT. RC Garcia and soon to be retiring, Lt. Kilbride, who could temporarily lead this sinking ship to shore.
From there, the city does a "NATION-WIDE" search for new leadership. Don't even vote Penman as Mayor, as much as he would like that position. Truly start over!
Where else can change begin, but from the top!
open minded,
I'm not exactly sure, I'm sorry. This was Andrew's post. I'll ask him to address your question.
Thank you,
Robert
Open Minded,
Sgt. Rich Lawhead informed me that council members Esther Estrada, Tobin Brinker and Chas Kelley attended the meeting. I wasn't able to contact them in time to write the post so I simply quoted the people I spoke with.
Andrew Edwards
Obviously the members of the city council can see the writing on the wall. Its time for all of them to band together and vote a resolution or proclamation that advises the Mayor that Chief Billdt's time has come.
I don't know if something like that has any teeth, but as a politician, the mayor might feel the pressure. 76% is more than a "snapshot" and the mayor should pull his head out of the sand.
The chief can not attain a higher status and with his years on, his pension really won't increase. In fact, it appears he has negatively impacted his "legacy" since taking office. Its time for him to turn in his papers and move on.
The next issue is with the "good ole boy" network that he has handpicked to succeed him. What to do? "Golden handshake" maybe? I dont know, but as suggested, change must come from the top.
"Sick and tired" suggested Lt. Taack, Lt. R. Garcia, Lt. Kilbride, let me suggest consideration to bringing back Lt. Soderbloom, as well.
Together, those 4 would form a very powerful command staff and could right the wrongs that have and continue to be committed each day at this department.
A return to the values of Commitment to public service and safety, accountability, loyalty, RESPECT for the law and most importantly, INTEGRITY, which seem to only apply on the first floor, except with rare exceptions, is the cure for the cancer that eats us from within. MORALE might also improve a bit, too!
Chief Billdt has proposed a split city format, to begin in October. Though management wont discuss the intricacies of the plan, through the grapevine it sounds like it would be the next logical step to improving our community.
HOWEVER, it appears chief Billdt wants to promote another captain to make it work. His choice is weak and is another shining example of "quid pro quo", not to mention that the timing couldn't be worse.
Need to save money? how about CURTIS and HARP? There is some big bucks, and though each provide a valuable service they have had their time at the department. Are we really unable to find a good LT or even a SGT to fill those positions?
This slurping at the trough has contributed to the pain felt by 11 employees who have been forced out.
Mayor Morris credits a drop in crime to Chief Billdt, but in actuality, the current patrol model was put in place by the previous chief (G. Zimmon). It is Zimmon who desereves the credit.
And if crime has been negatively impacted, then there is no need for a major change at this time. After the fiscal dust has settled, maybe, but to exchange 11 civilian employees jobs/career's for a 4th captain is heartless, shortsighted and is devoid of any measure of loyalty. This implementation should be postponed.
WHEW!
Andrew: Whether or not you got a quote from the two (or three) councilman, they were still in the meeting as I understood it. It does appear that the Mayor on his own accord met with the POA to be the good guy hero. It could not be farther from the truth. It appears to this outsider that the pressure from Estrada was so intense the Mayor had no other choice. Even without a quote from the others, your story is still infactual. Thanks.
Oracle: Heartless is more than an accurate desription. Through the Ways and Means committee this past week, there is a proposal to bring back at least six of the non-sworn as it appears to us that without the non-sworn, the sworn will spend more time inside and that was not our intent. Anyway, I think your points are well taken but I would like to clarify something. As I have witnessed three policing models now, it seems to me that the current model is actually a morphed version of Lee Dean's. Zimmon, the new guy, had to switch it around a bit, drop the specialized teams, and then SB watched crime grow and grow. The model now is similar to the original community policing model closer to Dean's then Zimmon's, but my opinion only.
Kudos to sick and tired of the B.S.
There will be no chance "to vote Penman Mayor" as he has been there, done that; went into debt doing it to the tune of thousands of dollars and won't be offering to cut his salary in half again in order to be elected Mayor.
Penman accepts the decision of the voters: Penman for Mayor, no; Penman for city attorney, yes.
Thank you to those who keep asking me to run for mayor again, but I think I'm where I belong, and I'm satisfied to be where I am.
Jim Penman
P.S.
I continue to make recommendations and give what our office believes is sound legal advice. Some of that is now being listened to by some on the Council, but there are no takers for our suggestions in the Mayor's office. That is O.K. with me. It is my job to give legal advice, I give it and they have the option to take it or leave it.
I'll keep defending the city in law suits, closing down gang and drug houses and carrying out the City Council's directives to keep Hospitality Lane family oriented.
Now, if we could just do that with our neighborhoods.
JP
There is a small group of citizens in San Bernardino that are attempting to keep our neighborhoods crime free and family friendly. Our best tools were the Community Services Officers that Billdt has "reassigned" out of the local District Offices - so much for "community" policing.
Without sworn officers on the streets and non-sworn employees taking the paperwork load off of the officers there is no way this city is going to get cleaned up. Social programs are best left to the experienced non-profits. Morris has tried to start his own program - Operation Phoenix and it's a failure. Billdt "tried" to start the Police Activities League and it's non-existant. Both of them tapped Parks and Rec to do the "heavy lifting" on the project and look at the result.....is anyone seeing a pattern here?
Oh! And Morris bringing in a "third-party" to put "new eyes" on the situation - what a waste of time and money! The only new eyes I want to see are those of a new Police Chief!
Morris keeps bringing organizations in to "collaborate" and nothing happens. Morris keeps hiring new people and nothing happens. Look at Operation Phoenix, look at the Police Activities League, look at the Urban Land Development Institute - their take on "fixing" San Bernardino will take BILLIONS.
Stop with these stupid collaborations - fire Billdt. Hire from outside of the Inland Empire - let the new Chief decide who is a keeper.....and for God's sake close Operation Phoenix - it's a waste of time and money! It's the taxpayer's money....not Morris'! When he hires "new eyes" from his own personal pocket then we can talk!
It is hard to imagine this situation anywhere else ...
Most underqualified police chief in the country does a terrible job, blows a boatload of dough and succeeds in making the public and his whole department hate his guts. But the mayor says he's the most qualified chief in the country and that the hatred against him is a "snapshot." Meanwhile, city rots and sheriffs dept. licks its chops and rubs its hands together in anticipation ...
ONly in San Berdoo!!
Interesting.
Mayor Morris thinks that the problems in the SBPD need "new eyes". However, when it comes to the plank in his own eye..or should I say, Operation Phoeix, he believes that the matter should be handled internally.
Mr. Mayor this situation regarding Chief Billdt does not need a third set of eyes to look into it. What it needs is for you to take off your rose colored glasses and exit the sixty's.
What more do you need before you realize your decision to back Chief Billdt was just as flawed as your decision to back a child molester in your pet project "Operation Phoenix".
As I see it you have two major strikes against you already and the pitch is again coming your way. Your bat is back, your ready to swing……… will it be a strike out? or will you come to your senses and hit a home run?
As I recall sitting more than once in your court room you used to counsel defendants about personnel responsibility and the like. Was that just rhetoric? Or will you take responsibility for the runaway costs of project Phoenix? Seems every council session I have been able to attend or watch on TV, all you do is just keep coming back and asking for more money for the project.
Mr. Mayor, no matter how much money you keep throwing away (actually flushing down the toilet is more accurate) with project Phoenix; it is doomed to failure! In my opinion you have forced good hardworking people out of jobs within every department of our city so you could continue your runaway spending and funding of Project Phoenix.
Then when that isn’t bad enough………you don’t even have the ability to admit your poor decisions in your choices of who should run not only the Police Department, but Project Phoenix as well. One choice has been corrected for you, by the arrest of one protease. It remains to be seen if you will man up and correct the choice of your other Department head problem child or not!
Your bat is back, your ready to swing………….Will you swing steady and straight and hit that home run yet? Or will you chop at the ball again and strike out?
Dear Mr. Penman,
You said you would continue "closing down gang and drug houses". San Bernardino certainly has alot of those and with cooked stat. #'s from the chief I'm sure that makes your job even harder.
I bet you didn't know that many of "The Drug Houses" are actually run by the police street teams.Manufactured crime is very real in SB.I understand also that a policy is in place where CI's have to sign a contract of "Give me 3, than your free".I also know this is illegal.How many innocent people do you think are in jail right now due to this policy?How many peoples homes have been taken over and made into drug houses by these street teams to manufacture crime and work off debt?
The reason i am bringing this to your attention is that the manufactured crime in San Bernardino is out of control.The Narcotics officers and undercover officers are out of control , due, in my opinion to lack of accountability and leadership, as with Bradley Lawrence, Mitch Kimball and Brian Boom and their teams.Are you aware of the fact that these "Street Teams" compete for busts? Are you aware that their are Drug houses that have been in operation for a very long time with a Hands off policy in place? Are you aware that CI'S have to PAY the street teams for Protection? I am very concerned that internal investigations are 90% of the time allowed to expire, with nothing being done, again, no accountablity.
I would like to have an open and frank discussion with you on this blog about the police policies currently in place regarding CI'S and Narcotics Street Teams.
Wendy McCammack,
As luck would have it, I was involved in a discussion about this very subject after I submitted my comment yesterday. You are correct. This is a morphism of Chief Dean's original plan.
I completely forgot about Chief Dean and I guess I too have survived and witnessed 3 policing models. I stand corrected.
I applaud your efforts and those of the entire Ways and Means committee to restore the positions that have been sacrificed. I hope you are successful!
I am still concerned with regard to the continued push for a 4th captain, particularly Chief Billdt's selection, and I hope that we can avoid the likely additional blow to department morale through the strength, leadership and informed guidance of the council.
Thank you for your response
Peacegardener,
It is very difficult for law enforcement to impact the volume of drug and gang houses, within the confines of the law. There is a lot of research and preparation that goes into this work.
Your assertions that many of these houses are actually "run by the police street teams", "narcotics and undercover officers are out of control" and that "CI's pay the street teams for protection" is complete hogwash. It is obvious that you are not in Law Enforcement, nor are you a "CI".
You mention Brad Lawrence, Mitch Kimball and Brian Boom as examples. Though there is currently an investigation into the actions of Lawrence, he has not yet been charged with any violation and has not received his day in court. You are putting the cart before the horse!
With regard to Kimball and Boom, they are, along with Billdt, the source of anxiety and discontent at the department, to be sure. But Lawrence is his own man.
Though they were fully aware "after the fact" of his actions and certainly are guilty of playing favorites and poor judgment for allowing him to continue working after the initial complaint, I seriously doubt that either Boom, Kimball or Billdt had a hand or knowledge, before the fact.
You should not let your angst for law enforcement run away with you. Try to be open minded and let it play out in court.
Mr. Penman probably can not engage with you in an open and frank discussion on these subjects, but I check this blog daily...
Peacegardener,
It is very difficult for law enforcement to impact the volume of drug and gang houses, within the confines of the law. There is a lot of research and preparation that goes into this work.
Your assertions that many of these houses are actually "run by the police street teams", "narcotics and undercover officers are out of control" and that "CI's pay the street teams for protection" is complete hogwash. It is obvious that you are not in Law Enforcement, nor are you a "CI".
You mention Brad Lawrence, Mitch Kimball and Brian Boom as examples. Though there is currently an investigation into the actions of Lawrence, he has not yet been charged with any violation and has not received his day in court. You are putting the cart before the horse!
With regard to Kimball and Boom, they are, along with Billdt, the source of anxiety and discontent at the department, to be sure. But Lawrence is his own man.
Though they were fully aware "after the fact" of his actions and certainly are guilty of playing favorites and poor judgment for allowing him to continue working after the initial complaint, I seriously doubt that either Boom, Kimball or Billdt had a hand or knowledge, before the fact.
You should not let your angst for law enforcement run away with you. Try to be open minded and let it play out in court.
Mr. Penman probably can not engage with you in an open and frank discussion on these subjects, but I check this blog daily...
Anonymous,
You are correct, the department does not need a third set of eyes, to look into anything. What's needed is Leadership, Integrity and Accountability.
The same is true with Operation Phoenix and we must be very careful with how both are handled.
Both the issues within the police department and operation phoenix are in the hands of Mr. Morris and the city council. I have faith that they will do the right thing.
Anonymous: Do you really think the Mayor will do the right thing? I know a few of the council folks will, but they need 5 votes, don't they? Call your councilman and get them off their "Mayor-loving" butts!
Someone told me that McCammack may have some bad ties to Operation Phoenix, herself. Is it true that she's sitting on boards to some of those "non" profit groups, too? I can't believe it's true so I'm asking you if it is, or if it's B.S.
-GOTTA KNOW-
Mrs. McCammack,
The previous entry from "Gotta Know" has posed a valid question to you. Are you associated with Operation Phoenix? If you are, given the current rhetoric, will you elaborate? Now is the time for ALL public officials to come clean. The truth will set you (all of us) free.