www.eagletimes.com
www.eagletimes.com
Springfield police push back against chief’s conduct By GLYNIS HART reporter@eagletimes.com Springfield police station TORY DENIS SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Members of the Springfield Police Benevolent Association voted “no confidence” in Police Chief Doug Johnston and have asked the town to fire him. In a letter dated July 13, which was hand-delivered to the town manager on July 23, Union President Shaun Smith, a detective with the department, said a majority of the union members had voted no confidence in the chief. The letter reads, in part, “Chief Johnston has fostered an atmosphere of hostility, retaliation and unprofessionalism ... Lack of leadership, mismanagement, and poor policy decisions have not only damaged the relationships of the Union members that work for Chief Johnston, but that of the members of the public/cooperating agencies as well.” The union said attempts to work it out with Johnston had failed and “moral(e) of the department is at an all-time low ... Chief Johnston has established a pattern of inequitable treatment of department personnel, and utilizes the internal investigation procedures and threat of disciplinary action as a means to intimidate and belittle members of the department and without warrant at times.” It goes on to accuse Johnston of mismanaging agency resources and agency funds, including not making sure there were enough police vehicles available for shifts, and states that the chief lacks sufficient knowledge of criminal procedures, so that he has on occasion advised taking actions that “contradict law, practice, or State’s attorney direction.” The letter alleges a hostile work environment at the department, and says recruiting and hiring have been negatively affected. Johnston, a 39-year veteran of the force, worked up to his current position through the ranks. In an email to the Eagle Times, Johnston wrote: “I am aware of the letter of complaint from the union about me. I have been Chief of Police for over 17 years. I continue to manage the department as I always have. I set expectations for employees and then hold them accountable if they do not meet them. I give praise when deserved and criticism when warranted. I hope this is not an attempt to circumvent accountability by the union. I am confident that I have done my job in a way that would satisfy the people of Springfield.” Town manager Tom Yennerell said he was not at liberty to discuss the matter. “It’s a sensitive human resource issue. I have been discussing the matter with the union and the chief to come to a resolution.” Top2018News
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI'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'.
ReplyDeleteThe apple dumpling gang strikes again! Send them some kleenex.
ReplyDeleteEnough 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?
ReplyDeleteNeed to RETIRED or FIRED of POLICE chief, and get NEW and BETTER chief of Springfield VT Police Department.
ReplyDeleteWhat?
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteReally? 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.
DeleteYes...REALLY. Doug shouldn't be held accountable for the liberal criminal laws in Vermont.
DeleteHe 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".
DeleteI 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!!!!!
DeleteOverall 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.
ReplyDeleteOf course UE218 has nothing to do with it. UE218 didn't affect the shops either.
ReplyDeleteIn 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.
ReplyDeleteNo 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.
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!
ReplyDeleteFire select oats as well and srdc leader. Let's start clearing house and get new initiatives in town. More flint than anyone else
ReplyDeletezero 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.
ReplyDeleteWell three strikes and your out, could be a reason for that outcome Union member!
ReplyDeleteTom 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.
ReplyDeleteYou don't hear the Fire Department's union griping because the Fire Chief is a spineless jellyfish who treats the memberfish on bended knee!
ReplyDeleteAnd 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.
Delete