Fw: Council Decision to put the MBPD under City Admin

[MEXICO JOE]

 

To: undisclosed-recipients

Sent: Friday, November 16, 2012 8:45 AM

Subject: Council Decision to put the MBPD under City Admin

The City Council is trying to put the Police Department under the authority of the City Administrator, Chris Hubbard.They actually tried to do it in April by just making a resolution (which was later discovered to be an incorrect way of changing it, not sure why they didn't know that!) .  So, they are now doing it the proper way with an ordinance and I believe it will be voted on the first December City Council meeting. 

Here is a concern about this ordinance:  This will make the Police Department beholden to the City Administrator.   The old adage of "power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely" comes to mind.   Councilman Howell said, in response to that comment in a meeting, "well, it depends on the person."    I'm not sure we want the police department dependent on the nature of any ONE person.  The Councilmen/women are elected by the citizens.   Should not the police department report to the Council?   The Council should hold them accountable and we, the citizens, should hold the council responsible for a well run police department.  The council has been negligent of their duties  and we the citizens have been as well.  IT IS TIME THAT WE STAND UP AND HELP OUR CITY OUT!

We all are now aware of the terrible state our police department has been in for YEARS.  Attached is a report completed last year by the Bay County Sheriff's department that identifies a multitude of problems LAST YEAR.      The very same problems, and many more, were then reported in the most recent investigation by the Bay County Sheriff's Office.     The City Council should have taken responsibility for the dire situation of our Police Department when it was first brought to their attention.   

 In April,  Mayor Cathey instructed the council to put the Police Department under the authority of the City Administrator.   They agreed.  So, Chris Hubbard had complete authority since April of 2012.   He and Council knew of ALL the problems and took no action to correct those problems.   He had the authority to fire at will but took no action.  Do the math for us here: That’s more than 2 or 3 or 4 months that Mr. Hubbard COULD have effected necessary changes, but he was either unable or unwilling to do so. In July, the Mayor called for the internal investigation and the rest, as they say, is history.  

Captain Glen Norris has been the acting police chief ,however applications for a new police chief are being reviewed by Chris Hubbard as we speak.   

 Council Person Castro has suggested postponing this ordinance for 6 months to allow Captain Norris to take the lead and get his department back in shape.   This would also allow time for the City Council to establish procedures to strengthen the communication and accountability between the police department and council.  

The City Administrator has plenty of responsibilities, his plate is full.  The Police Department should report directly to the City Council, which in reality, is reporting to the Citizenry because we can VOTE THEM OUT if they do not do their jobs! 

Please read all the material provided, the links to recent articles, the results of LAST YEAR'S Bay County report.
If you can not open any of the links or attachments, please let me know and I'll get them to you some other way.
Please forward to any of your neighbors or friends who are willing to be informed and involved.

The ordinance establishing the City Administrator's authority over the Police Department will be voted on December 11. 

http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Mexico-Beach-Volunteer-Fire-Fighters-Quit-179289141.html

http://www.newsherald.com/news/government/mexico-beach-commissioner-sickened-by-investigation-1.49193

http://www.newsherald.com/opinions/editorials/unraveling-mexico-beach-1.34731