Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Fvilles Chief Roberts admits taping, denies morale problemBy BEN NELMS Fayetteville Police Chief Johnny Roberts Tuesday acknowledged he had tape-recorded one of his former high-ranking officers but denied the department suffered from any morale problems or lack of access for frank exchanges with him. No one, to my knowledge, has ever taped anyone secretly outside of official police business, Roberts said, referencing a story printed last week in The Citizen about officers taping each other. I have no knowledge of it. The only one I know of that did it is Harold Simmons. Roberts acknowledged Simmons earlier statements that he had been taped by Roberts during a December 2004 meeting in Roberts office. The reason, Roberts said, was that his taping of Simmons constituted official police business because it involved a disciplinary matter. Beyond that, no policy exists in the department, Roberts said, that specifically speaks to taping. In light of the recent EEOC complaints filed by former Major Simmons regarding alleged racial discrimination as a reason for his recent termination, Chief Roberts responded Tuesday to questions about overall morale and other issues pertaining to the Fayetteville Police Department. Roberts was unable to respond to questions relating directly to Simmons case given the status of the EEOC complaints. Regarding overall morale, Roberts said the department has regular meetings on numerous levels where information and communication is exchanged. He said there is a formal and an informal procedure that exists, if desired by officers, to express concerns or problems. Simmons used the formal procedure in the form of a grievance, Roberts said, but the informal procedure, by virtual of an open door approach is more widely utilized. There is a formal procedure for them to do that, but there is also an open door. My door is always open. Officers, patrolmen, can come into my office. It doesnt have to be the major or a division commander. That officer can walk in and express things. And they often do. Issues, ideas, problems. There has never been any retribution taken against anyone for expressing their desires, problems, issues, whatever. Thats because this is not a one-man organization or a two-man organization. I believe in the upside-down pyramid and Im at the bottom. Roberts added that, as in any organization, some employees are willing to speak up and speak out while others are not. Those willing to speak up in his department can do so freely without hesitation or fear of negative consequences, he said. Show me one time, I want somebody to show me one time where Ive taken retribution against anyone for speaking their mind. Show me, he said emphatically. Do I agree with them all the time? No, Roberts said. The difference sometimes in me and them is that I see the big picture, they dont. They are like a mule with blinders on. All they see is what they want to see and you have to enlighten them and say there is a bigger picture because if I do this its going to affect this. If I make this decision these people over here are going to suffer, Roberts said. You cant do that. A leader, a servant, cant do that. You have to think about everybody. Im not going to make everybody happy, Roberts said. |
|
Copyright 2004-Fayette Publishing, Inc. |