Council approves police promotion by one vote

The City Council on Monday night approved the promotion of Brian Boom from police lieutenant to captain by a single vote.

Dennis Baxter, Tobin Brinker, Neil Derry and Chas Kelley voted for the promotion.

Esther Estrada, Rikke Van Johnson and Wendy McCammack cast "no" votes.

Boom supervised Sgt. Brad Lawrence, who has been accused by fellow officers of illegally detaining suspects. Councilwoman Wendy McCammack had previously spoken against the promotion in previous meetings because of Police Department's investigation into Lawrence's alleged actions.

The council cast its vote after retreating into closed session. Fifth Ward Councilman Chas Kelley said Tuesday morning that unlike McCammack, he did not see any information to convince him that Boom should not move up.

"I saw the same files," Kelley said.

Boom is slated to be one of two captains leading SBPD's patrol operations. He did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

The police union, which has taken a vote of no confidence in Police Chief Michael Billdt, also opposed Boom's promotion and any other management changes. Billdt plans to retire in March and union leaders have taken the position that SBPD's next chief should decide who takes on command duties within the department.

"Let the new police chief pick the managers he wants to work with," police union president Rich Lawhead said Monday.

"It's not a personal attack on Lt. Boom," Lawhead added.