Position on Chief of Police Green’s Leave of Absence

A recent city change to the GVPD Policy Manual (Personnel Complaints, section 1010) now integrates the city HR department into police complaints. My two main disagreements: 

When the Police Chief is the subject of a complaint the policy now requires HR involvement which is a clear conflict of interest and prevents transparency. Senior city staff should not investigate fellow senior city staff. 

Normally in any business or organization, HR is a supporting role. This policy also expands HR’s role to now receive complaints, categorize them, participate in the process, and audit. Virtually every other metro and state PD already operate independently of HR under thorough oversight and accountability mechanisms. 

Clear police guidelines and policies, including a strong complaint policy, are of course mandatory.  Engaging a third party investigator is sufficient and already included in the manual.  This latest revision transfers some of our police chief’s leadership responsibilities to the HR department and creates a conflict of interest. 

Since our Chief is already on paid leave with an active complaint, the new policy desired by senior city managers further confuses an already chaotic and mysterious situation. 

My GVPD policy position supports transparency and fairness, holds our police chief responsible for the GVPD, and prevents conflicts of interest.