Here's another:
Although he is a thorn in the side of city government, former Greensboro police captain Charles Cherry asked a good question at last night's city council meeting that deserves an answer regardless of who is asking. It was, essentially, this:
Who investigates complaints against the upper managers of city government over whom there are no other city employees?It's a good question.
Here's what happened as Cherry tried to get that question answered during last night's city council meeting (video, begins at 01:09:10):
Mayor Robbie Perkins responded, "Alright, we're not going to solve this tonight."
Cherry persisted, demanding to know who has the authority to initiate investigations of complaints against top-level city employees.
Mayor pro-tem Yvonne Johnson offered, "The council could. The council has the power to do so."
Cherry: "So why has that not happened when you have several legitimate complaints, written and stamped as received by you that have not been answered?"
Johnson: "I'm not the mayor, I'm just one person and nobody...
Mayor Perkins: "Mr. Cherry, thank you."
And it was over.
The particulars of Cherry's complaints not withstanding, this is the kind of thing for which council should develop a clear and public procedure. What is the process for initiating a complaint against the City's top employees and what steps does city council take in response? There appears to be no policy currently, an abdication of council's responsibilities as the people's managers of city government.
I have been looking into the Charles Cherry issue and the guy has complaints.
ReplyDeleteThe council for some reason is hoping charles goes away but he has been at every council since he was fired I think. The man filed a complaint but nobody wants to investigate, one reason for that, they are scared that they will find he is right
"Alright, we're not going to solve this tonight." Robbie Perkins.
ReplyDeleteHow about today?
1. Cherry says DK Crotts violated State Law by discussing personnel matters.
2. City refuse to investigate and claims Cherry's' complaint has no merit. City claims that Crotts was speaking to members of professional standards. City further claims that because Crotts was speaking to members of professional standards, no violation occurred.
The recording was made on August 5, 2010.
Question: Who is in the infamous DK Crotts YouTube Video?
City Answer: Deputy Chief Crotts was speaking with Cpt Smith and Sgt Isom in the referenced video.
This should complete your public information request.
What officers were in professional standards on Aug, 5 2010?
City answer:
• Captain J. F. Allen, Commander
• Corporal M. J., Harris Internal Affairs
• Sergeant M. N. Loy, Internal Affairs
• Sergeant A. T. McHenry, Internal Affairs
• Sergeant J. L. Steinberg, Internal Affairs
• Corporal D. E. Stewart, Internal Affairs
If you can't see the issue with this then I will be saddened again by this disappointing place called Greensboro.
We have learned nothing from the Wray Fray.
So, what you're saying is that the City said Crotts was OK to discuss personnel matter about Cherry because he was discussing them with member for the Professional Standards division even though that's contradicted by the record -- that the people in the discussion were not in Professional Standards on the date of the recording.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't that long ago that an incurious and passive city council found themselves burned by declining to check things out for themselves. This council becoming reminiscent.
That's pretty much it. Read the city's response to this complaint in the June 4, 2012 IFYI. Read Cherry's latest complaint filed last week. Staff is dangerously dishonest.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of one council person I would vote for. Don't get me wrong, they are nice people. However, I think we deserve a wee bit better.
I looked into the Cherry case like Ben, ben is right on who was in the meeting. Being in law enforcement, you cant discuss other cops business with just anyone. They fired Cherry for minor dept violations, not breaking the law, but someone who breaks the law is allowed to stay. Charles Cherry is not crazy, he is well spoken and knows his stuff, the man was counting on him being ignorant and just going away, but you have to admire the guy for fighting for his rights.
ReplyDeleteAs per Ben, my contacts at GPD tell me that Ben is teh man and a very good investigator.
Do you think Mr. Cherry would be taken more seriously if he wasn't wearing sunglasses every time he addressed City Council?
ReplyDeleteBarring any medical reason to wear them.
Do you think that's why he's ignored? Because he's wearing sunglasses?
ReplyDelete