Mayor says police chief to remain on job 4-6 weeks longer than previously expected
Mayor Pat Morris said today that Police Chief Michael Billdt will stay on the job four to six weeks after his contract expires.
Billdt's contract expires March 27. Although Billdt announced in 2008 that he would retire at the end of his contract, Morris and interim City Manager Mark Weinberg say they want Billdt to remain as the city's top cop until a permanent replacement is hired.
"It is just good business practice. We need to have a good, strong leader in place until we have another strong leader in place," Morris said. "It's called Management 101."
Weinberg wrote in an email that it was his idea to retain Billdt, who last year survived the Police Officers Association's no confidence vote.
"At this time there is simply no substitute for Chief Bildt's executive law enforcement experience and familiarity with the SBPD. His leadership at this time is essential to enable the Police Department and the City to effectively respond to the current financial crisis," Weinberg wrote.
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Andrew Edwards. E-mail Andrew here.
Could this be yet another example of why the public or voters of this city have little to no respect for the city’s leadership? Mistrust and false information flow from the 6th floor like water from broken water hose. Why should be believe anything the Mayor (or his son) says that is in an official capacity? Should we now expect to see the pending P/D layoff of officers be those who had taken exception to how this Chief lead his department? Is this delayed retirement allowing the Chief to get the last laugh on the no confidence vote that was made public a few months ago? Elections can not come soon enough for San Bernardino.
"Nugget-sized story on police chief hiring timeline"
Reader Bob,
Care to extend your theory on the article above and the reespondents therein?