Sunday, May 22, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Roberts, Ledbetter goneMorton in charge of Fayetteville PD, mayor saysBy BEN NELMS Whos in charge today at the controversy-wracked Fayetteville Police Department? City Manager Joe Morton is, according to Mayor Kenneth Steele. It all may be coincidence, but the simultaneous retirement of Fayetteville Police Chief Johnny Roberts and the resignation of Major Steve Ledbetter announced Thursday by Mayor Steele came on the heels of an escalating controversy within the department that surfaced in April when former Officer Harold Simmons filed two federal discrimination complaints. With Maj. Simmons demoted and then fired, Maj. Ledbetter resigning and Chief Roberts retiring, the police department is suddenly bereft of all management personnel above the rank of lieutenant. After the meeting, City Manager Morton said the departure of Roberts and Ledbetter was not related to Simmons discrimination complaints. The transition represents a new direction for the police department, Morton said. Before a packed council meeting audience, Steele and city officials offered no other reasons for the otherwise unexplained resignation and retirement of the top two remaining officers in the 40-plus-member police department. Steele Thursday night announced the personnel moves that came as added agenda items at the meeting, stating that Roberts retirement would be effective Aug. 1 and Ledbetters resignation would be effective Aug. 31. The council voted unanimously, without discussion, to accept the retirement and resignation. Both men, Steele said, would be on paid administrative leave until the effective dates of their departures. Steele informed the meetings packed house that he and Morton would meet the following morning with senior staff in the police department regarding the administrative changes in the department and other matters related to the operation of the department. The mayor added that the city would begin advertising for the chiefs position. He then quickly moved on to remaining items on the meeting agenda. Speaking during the public comments portion of the meeting, Simmons thanked those present for supporting his attempt to get his job back. Simmons said he had worked hard and was standing on his reputation. I am a leader and I think the officers are ready to follow. Im not here to point fingers. I love the people of Fayetteville and Im ready to bring myself back to the guys I love working with, he said. Other citizens spoke on Simmons behalf following his remarks. Fayette Middle School secretary Karen Littlejohn told council members that Simmons should have his job back. We were shocked and saddened at the news of his firing, Littlejohn said. At Fayette Middle we have experienced Harolds honesty, his courage, his bravery. He was a father to the fatherless of that school, a help to the helpless and a friend to the friendless. NAACP President Edward Johnson also addressed the council. Johnson echoed Littlejohns request to have Simmons reinstated. We want to state on behalf of the citizens of Fayetteville that Maj. Simmons reputation is stellar and therefore, after the consideration of the EEOC is resolved we hope that the council will consider reinstating Maj. Simmons and consider him for chief of police of Fayetteville. Resident Janice Summers spoke to Simmons work in the police department and her support of him. Handel Fitzhealey also spoke, approaching the issue from a broader perspective. The issue is not just about Mr. Simmons or the police department. Its about the entire community, Fitzhealey said. The entire community is watching to see how you handle this issue After each speaker the packed council room broke out in loud and often sustained applause. On a related matter, the mayor and council were asked if either they or anyone in the city administration had suggested or advised any city employees that the employees should not attend the Thursday council meeting. Steele responded saying, No, they have a right to attend the meeting. Morton commented after Steele, saying that he had recently updated police department staff on issues related to the department. Morton said he confirmed with staff that they had put their trust in the city to work through the issues. I said, I dont think any purpose would be served by having a lot of department employees being at the council meeting, but it is a public meeting. And thats exactly what was said, Morton reported. The question to the council came after a number of city employees told The Citizen that they were told their attendance at the meeting would not be productive. Attending the meeting were eight members of the Police Benevolent Association (PBA). Representative Terry Nowell said PBA was present to provide a show of support for all officers of the police department. We look at this situation as an issue that if one officer can be fired and brought up on charges and theres been no internal complaints about the officers that were supposedly taped, it can be done against any officer, Nowell said. Officers need to know theyve got protection from anyone being able to come in and trump up charges. A). Representative Terry Nowell said PBA was present to provide a show of support for all officers of the police department. |
|
Copyright 2004-Fayette Publishing, Inc. |