Council President Mixon asked the Mayor about recent statements he made to media of potentially violent conflicts within the police department; and what was discussed at a "clandestine" meeting he had recently at a fire station with some of the officers involved.
Mixon voiced frustration at the lack of information being provided to the council: "Do we need to call out the state militia . . . disband the police department . . . if necessary . . . we'll issue subpoenas to everyone involved . . . to get to the bottom of it."
Mixon: "My question to you (Mayor) . . . is what is the status of this situation with the police force?"
MAYOR PLANS TO MEET WITH COUNCIL COMMITTEE
The Mayor said he, personnel attorney Myrick, and HR Director Hanks were still investigating the matter; and he planned to meet with the Police Committee (Stankoski, Kingrea, Mixon) at some point to discuss their findings.
Kant: "I plan to meet with council . . . go over the issues . . . get direction from council."
The Mayor said two officers raised the worry of potential violence, and he was invited by them to attend the fire station meeting two weeks ago (with at least 4 other officers): to allow them to vent.
Councilmember Quinn: "Wish we'd heard about (the problem) before . . . not read about it in the paper."
Stankoski: ". . . my concern is . . . are we talking about just personality issues because somebody doesn't like a management style? . . . or a dangerous situation . . . where people can get injured . . . you've had meetings with them . . . we need to know what's going on . . . ."
Kingrea: "I'm very concerned too . . . looks like you are trying to sow seeds of dissension within the police force . . . ."
POLICEMEN BEING OVERWORKED?
The Mayor said one of the complaints he heard at the firehouse meeting was the officers said "they were being asked to work steady . . . with no time off, period." He admitted though that he himself had ordered that 5 officers be on the streets at all times -- and proposed to reduce that number to four as a remedy.
Kant: ". . . part of the discussion the other night . . . it did come up . . . going to change it to 4."
Kant said some "things" were brought up about management at the meeting as well -- but, "I didn't listen to it."
Comments
None of these people are qualified to work at Walmart.
The next campaign should be called Citizens for an Idiot-Free Fairhope.
the downtown's become a watering hole, more bars by the day since WM barged in.
We told you so! No turning back now.