Friday, August 10, 2018

Springfield police push back against chief’s conduct

Members of the Springfield Police Benevolent Association voted “no confidence” in Police Chief Doug Johnston and have asked the town to fire him.


www.eagletimes.com

www.eagletimes.com

21 comments :

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. I'm not a big fan of the chief's. But this sounds like the typical UE218 of old - 'management doesn't know what they're doing'. 'The boss is picking on me.' Sure, probably a grain of truth to it, but more than likely plenty of embellishment by the union. Also tired of the official response, or lack of response, this is a personnel matter, so we can't discuss it. Ah, these personnel are paid with our tax dollars. I'm thinking we're due more info than 'no comment'.

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  3. The apple dumpling gang strikes again! Send them some kleenex.

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  4. Enough excuses from the PD leadership. Other large towns with drug problems made drastic improvements when they moved along chiefs stuck in their ways; Rutland, Windsor, Hartford have all made progress. We are stuck with the speed trap on Clinton Street. This is the second or third "no confidence" in about 10 years. If the problem is the incompetent cops that some including Johnson suggest; who is in charge of the hiring and training?

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  5. Need to RETIRED or FIRED of POLICE chief, and get NEW and BETTER chief of Springfield VT Police Department.

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  6. I have always found Doug to be a very capable law enforcement officer. On the other hand, some of Springfield's police officers seem to be lacking. Perhaps they have a problem with authority.

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    1. Really? In the 17 years he has been in charge you feel safer in your home and others are rushing to move to Springfield because of the reputation for safety? These problems happened under his watch.

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    2. Yes...REALLY. Doug shouldn't be held accountable for the liberal criminal laws in Vermont.

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    3. He should be held accountable for not leading his people in the best way to combat the problems in town. That was and still is the reason for the "no confidence" votes. As he says, he has been doing things the same ways for 17 years.... and lord help anyone that tries to change him he will hold them "accountable".

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    4. I am aghast, that the leader of the Springfield police Department would call for something as outrages as "accountability". That must be arsenic to this Union. Interestingly what constitutes a majority? two out of three, three out of five? Is this a legitimate union? Seriously!!!!!

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  7. Overall the police department has done well during Johnston's tenure. The problems in town are not because of them; they arrest drug dealers and abusers and other lawbreakers every week, but the judicial climate is lenient. I can't comment about situations within the department, not knowing anything about it. Outside of that, from what I've seen and read the police have performed competently and professionally in a difficult job and general situation. Thanks to them all, and I hope internal unity is improved soon.

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  8. Of course UE218 has nothing to do with it. UE218 didn't affect the shops either.

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  9. In the past I and others in the community had issues with officers that never should have been allowed on the force. With the union, terminating these misfits was near impossible. However, responsive to community feedback Chief Johnston turned up the heat on these individuals until they resigned. Since their departure, I only have praise for his department.

    No surprise there is a morale issue. These officers risk themselves every day rounding up the same despicable, drug dealers, pedophiles, felons, addicts, drunks, and assorted low lifes. Yet the exact same criminals are back on the street within hours applying their trade year after year. And why? Because the exact same people they are trying to protect and serve vote in a liberal government that appoints a revolving door judiciary. Then, a community full of selfish, ignorant liberals believe the PD is ineffective keeping the streets safe. Honestly, I'm surprised anyone wants the job.

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  10. As usual, everything's political! I don't know much about the SPD, but it seems to me that injecting politics into everything is probably a big part of any problems they have! JUST FIX THE PROBLEM!

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  11. Fire select oats as well and srdc leader. Let's start clearing house and get new initiatives in town. More flint than anyone else

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  12. zero faith that this town manager will treat this any differently than the past two votes of "no confidence". When an entire department including the dispatchers have the same issues over a decade, even with high turn over, the problem is a systemic leadership problem.

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  13. Well three strikes and your out, could be a reason for that outcome Union member!

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  14. Tom Yennerell is Springfield's Town Manager. He surely is privy to all personnel issues. He needs to make a definitive decision based on facts provided to the town by this union. If he can't, it's time for a new Town Manager.

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  15. You don't hear the Fire Department's union griping because the Fire Chief is a spineless jellyfish who treats the memberfish on bended knee!

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    1. And the fire department is well respected throughout the entire state. Springfield property values atenot declining because the fire department has not resolved fire issues. The fire department does not have rampant turn over and recruiting issues. The PD has not replaced supervisors for the past five years.

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