1998-02-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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156 advertised in October with educational requirements developed by the Department of Human Resources. In November, he sought input from 250 City residents and Police Department employees, out of which he developed a profile for a Chief of Police which included: experience, honestly, integrity, communication skills, fairness, leadership qualifies sensitivity to needs of the community, vision, and team work. Mr. O'Connetl said that a public interview process was followed which included citizens and Police Department employees. Rev. Alvin Edwards, Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, read a statement asking the Council and City Manager to maintain the original educational requirements for Chief of Police, and questioned the message lowering the educational requirements sends to the constituents of the City. Rev. Edwards said that in addition to the criteria developed from neighborhood meetings, a Chief should be hired who is competent and educated; who values experience and education in others; who has high standards of fairness and equity; who will not arbitrarily change the requirements; who is honest in personal and professional conduct; who is accessible to both officers and citizens; who knows how to work with people; and who will weave him/herself into the fabric of this community. Rev. Edwards said that if the candidate pool is not sufficient, the City Manager can go back and start the process again. Rev. Doyle Thomas, Pastor of Zion Union Baptist Church, spoke against the apparent lowering of standards in the required criteria used to fill the Police Chief position, and encouraged Council to help provide some leadership as it relates to making the standards for this position, as well as other department heads, a constant criteria irrespective of who might fill the Office of City Manager. Rev. R. A Johnson, Pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church, said that educational standards should not be lowered for the Police Chief. Rev. Johnson said the position affects the lives of all who live here and he can accept no less than a bachelors degree. Rev. Johnson said that the Police Chief should also have extensive training in multi-culturalism. Rev. Johnson said that the decision about the Police Chief should not be left in the hands of one person and he urged Council to address the complaints made. Dr. George A. Bates, a resident of Albemarle County, noted that the two African- American ministers who served on City Council and were present at the meeting, did not do anything about racial problems in the Police Department. Dr. Bates expressed concern that other African-Americans applying for Assistant City Manager positions were required to have college degrees and the Police Chief does not. Dr. Bates said that the African-American candidate for Police Chief has a law degree and extensive experience. Dr. Bates said that he believes racism is rampant in the City. ]?dr. Charles Barbour, former Mayor, noted that the City still does not have a black department head. Mr. Barbour said that Council can put pressure on the City, Manager regarding their priorities for a Police Chief and assure that he responds to the community's needs. Mr. Anthony Mohammed said that a Police Chief should not be picked from someone within the Police Department. Mr. Mohammed said that racist concerns need to be addressed. Mr. Tom Vandever, 916 Druid Avenue, former Mayor, said that he feels there are serious issues to be addressed in the Police Department, but does not feel those should get confused with other issues. Mr. Vandever noted that Council has the Council/Manager form of government, and therefore the City Manager should maintain the authority to choose a Police Chief. Mr. Vandever said that when the former City Manager added the requirement for a Masters degree for the qualifications for the former POlice Chief, he opposed that requirement. Mr. Vandever also said that while he was on City Council, the standards were changed for the lieutenant position which allowed the promotion of two African-Americans. Mr. Vandever said Mr. Rittenhouse has done a good job for the community. Mr. Vandever said that the City Manager followed the process that was established and the objections to the requirements advertised months ago have come too late.