The Manager's Response to the Concerns about the GPD
Oct. 8, 2007
I wanted to briefly discuss where we are with issues in the Police Department.
First, there are no “on-going” problems in the Department related to issues from the past administration. I am concerned that the press continues to put these issues in that context. The bottom line is the problems were addressed by Chief Bellamy over the last year. Actually, the key issues were addressed in the first weeks of his role as Acting Chief. As issues come up they have been addressed. There are no issues that are creating continued problems for the department.
What we are dealing with is the expected fallout of the problems. I believe that we will be dealing with the fallout of this for quite a while for several reasons. First, there are Court Trials and law suits which must work their way through the legal system. The City of Greensboro has no control over the time it will take for the law suit issues to be addressed other than end them by agreeing to settlements that I believe would be unwarranted at this time. Our job is to be fair and reasonable but also to protect the City and the tax payers from unnecessary expenses. Obviously, with regard to criminal trials we have no role other than as a participant as requested/required by the two sides; the State of North Carolina and the officers who have been charged.
From my perspective the latest report I made to Council represents the final dialog on this issue. I will continue to make my self available to the press to answer their questions. I believe that there are other important issues we need to focus on right now. For the community and the City to continue to rehash the issues regarding Chief Wray’s administration and his decision to resign is not productive. Based on the responses we see every time I have held press conferences or asked Council to allow me to release protected documents or information to the public, I have come to firmly believe that those who feel that I did not handle this correctly will remain steadfast in their belief irrelevant of what is released. Those who accept the information provided as confirmation that my actions where sound will support my actions.
At this time I have released full information which, I believe, clearly supports my rational for taking the actions that I did. I do not intend to make any other information available. Other information developed during the investigations should not be released as it may impact the upcoming trial and we do not want to improperly impact the ability of the officers to get a fair trail. However, there may be requests for information which I can support if they do not impact the trail and are really necessary per State Statuette regarding the release of personnel information. As I said before we need to move on.
I will continue to answer questions from the press and the community (and certainly from City employee’s!!!). But over the last two years I realize that every time I release information, make a statement to the press or am quoted in any publication, it creates an immediate response from the past Chief’s attorney’s or some other person who is unhappy with the situation. There is nothing positive about this continued discussion on this issue. Council and I pledged to make info available when we could and we have met that commitment. Perhaps the info is not to everyone’s liking but for almost all questions I have been asked during the last year and half, the information provided provides clear answers the issues.
For questions or comments to the City Manager - Mitchell Johnson call 336/373-2002
To reach Chief Tim Bellamy call 373-CITY
TDBS: The GDP and the city is making every effort to move on from this very difficult situation. Our next GPD Academy Graduation will be Oct. 22nd at 10:00 A.M. at GTCC Jamestown Campus.
First, there are no “on-going” problems in the Department related to issues from the past administration. I am concerned that the press continues to put these issues in that context. The bottom line is the problems were addressed by Chief Bellamy over the last year. Actually, the key issues were addressed in the first weeks of his role as Acting Chief. As issues come up they have been addressed. There are no issues that are creating continued problems for the department.
What we are dealing with is the expected fallout of the problems. I believe that we will be dealing with the fallout of this for quite a while for several reasons. First, there are Court Trials and law suits which must work their way through the legal system. The City of Greensboro has no control over the time it will take for the law suit issues to be addressed other than end them by agreeing to settlements that I believe would be unwarranted at this time. Our job is to be fair and reasonable but also to protect the City and the tax payers from unnecessary expenses. Obviously, with regard to criminal trials we have no role other than as a participant as requested/required by the two sides; the State of North Carolina and the officers who have been charged.
From my perspective the latest report I made to Council represents the final dialog on this issue. I will continue to make my self available to the press to answer their questions. I believe that there are other important issues we need to focus on right now. For the community and the City to continue to rehash the issues regarding Chief Wray’s administration and his decision to resign is not productive. Based on the responses we see every time I have held press conferences or asked Council to allow me to release protected documents or information to the public, I have come to firmly believe that those who feel that I did not handle this correctly will remain steadfast in their belief irrelevant of what is released. Those who accept the information provided as confirmation that my actions where sound will support my actions.
At this time I have released full information which, I believe, clearly supports my rational for taking the actions that I did. I do not intend to make any other information available. Other information developed during the investigations should not be released as it may impact the upcoming trial and we do not want to improperly impact the ability of the officers to get a fair trail. However, there may be requests for information which I can support if they do not impact the trail and are really necessary per State Statuette regarding the release of personnel information. As I said before we need to move on.
I will continue to answer questions from the press and the community (and certainly from City employee’s!!!). But over the last two years I realize that every time I release information, make a statement to the press or am quoted in any publication, it creates an immediate response from the past Chief’s attorney’s or some other person who is unhappy with the situation. There is nothing positive about this continued discussion on this issue. Council and I pledged to make info available when we could and we have met that commitment. Perhaps the info is not to everyone’s liking but for almost all questions I have been asked during the last year and half, the information provided provides clear answers the issues.
I am attaching my notes from my presentation and if you would like to look up the other documents you can find them at http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/PublicAffairs/mediacenter/recordings.htm.
For questions or comments to the City Manager - Mitchell Johnson call 336/373-2002
To reach Chief Tim Bellamy call 373-CITY
TDBS: The GDP and the city is making every effort to move on from this very difficult situation. Our next GPD Academy Graduation will be Oct. 22nd at 10:00 A.M. at GTCC Jamestown Campus.
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