Fairhope, Alabama
CONCERNING PERSONNEL DISCIPLINARY ISSUES
At the last council meeting, controversial Fairhope Police Chief Bill Press read a statement reviewing his tenure: Press said the main reason he was hired by the council was to address "serious personnel problems within the police department."
Press: "Many of the problems concerned grave misconduct ... your concerns were valid."
Press: "I've literally had to deal with everything from sworn police officers lying during official investigations to officers having sexual relations with subordinate employees ... and just about everything in between."
ACCOUNTABILITY A GOAL
POLITICAL MEETING HELD TO REPLACE HIM?
Press went on to say he had evidence of a meeting Jun. 5th -- held at Mr. Gary Wolfe's funeral home with some of the terminated employees present, the mayor, three new candidates for city council as well as potential replacements for him as Chief.
Press: "The focus of this meeting was not only come up with a plan and an alliance among these individuals to develop a sound reason not to rehire me if they are elected, but to also replace into power those who were forced from the Department."
Press added: "... their intent is to also hurt those individuals ... who were ethical ... including testifying against those who were facing disciplinary action."
Press went on to enumerate the specific charges against the 10 employees; and added all the terminations were upheld by the city's Personnel Board.
OVERALL A "GREAT WORKFORCE"
Press said the Fairhope Police workforce is becoming a "great one," and "the majority of the men and women that serve in our department are nothing short of outstanding."
"This Department is comprised of dedicated men and women who have the potential to prove themselves time and time again, regardless of any political adversity, and I am proud not only to lead them, but more importantly to work amongst them."
At the last council meeting, controversial Fairhope Police Chief Bill Press read a statement reviewing his tenure: Press said the main reason he was hired by the council was to address "serious personnel problems within the police department."
Press: "Many of the problems concerned grave misconduct ... your concerns were valid."
Press: "I've literally had to deal with everything from sworn police officers lying during official investigations to officers having sexual relations with subordinate employees ... and just about everything in between."
ACCOUNTABILITY A GOAL
Press said that he realizes "that holding these employees accountable has certainly placed me and the council members who hired me in a negative light by some, but those who think such are most-likely friends or family members ... ."
"I believe this organization has a greater responsibility to all that we are accountable to ... no other profession mandates employees to make legal, split second, or moral decisions that impact the lives of others."
POLITICAL MEETING HELD TO REPLACE HIM?
Press went on to say he had evidence of a meeting Jun. 5th -- held at Mr. Gary Wolfe's funeral home with some of the terminated employees present, the mayor, three new candidates for city council as well as potential replacements for him as Chief.
Press: "The focus of this meeting was not only come up with a plan and an alliance among these individuals to develop a sound reason not to rehire me if they are elected, but to also replace into power those who were forced from the Department."
Press added: "... their intent is to also hurt those individuals ... who were ethical ... including testifying against those who were facing disciplinary action."
Press went on to enumerate the specific charges against the 10 employees; and added all the terminations were upheld by the city's Personnel Board.
OVERALL A "GREAT WORKFORCE"
Press said the Fairhope Police workforce is becoming a "great one," and "the majority of the men and women that serve in our department are nothing short of outstanding."
"This Department is comprised of dedicated men and women who have the potential to prove themselves time and time again, regardless of any political adversity, and I am proud not only to lead them, but more importantly to work amongst them."