Bishop Police Department Chief Chris Carter issued a response Monday to the “Letter of No Confidence” signed by seven Bishop police officers.
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First, I’ll begin by asking the media outlets to print or broadcast this entire statement, just as they did with the letter filed by the officers.
Bishop Police Chief Chris Carter
Secondly, I want to take time to thank all of those people who have called, texted or otherwise offered their support. Especially those who have spoken out in my defense at a time when I was unable to speak or defend myself.
I’m going to address the letter filed by seven members of the Bishop Police Dept on Thursday 17th of Sept. It is my understanding there will be an official investigation, as there well should be, and I welcome it because I know what the truths of these allegations are.
I assure you that while some of what has been said is true, the whole truth is not contained anywhere in their letter.
I have been advised that because some of these allegations might amount to misconduct or even criminal conduct, I’m not obliged to make any statement and should not proceed without legal counsel. While I recognize the validity of this advice, I cannot and will not remain silent on this issue.
I would like the citizens of Bishop and any others who are concerned to take into account a couple of things: one being that I announced my retirement in July. These officers have had two months in the interim to go public with their complaints and concerns, and yet they chose to make these allegations on the day I left on a scheduled vacation and two weeks prior to my official retirement date. This isn’t a coincidence.
Their goal has nothing to do with bettering the Department or exposing corruption. I believe this letter is a smear campaign, plain and simple.
Here are some facts that were conveniently omitted from their letter:
1.This letter was signed by seven people, but authored by a single individual. Each of these individuals may have their own personal axes to grind based on our common history as subordinate and supervisor. This letter is not a correspondence from the Police Officers Association (union). There was not meeting held or vote taken, even though two of the people who signed this letter act as the President and Vice-President of the Union.
2. Five of the officers who signed this letter recently participated in a promotional process for a single Sergeant vacancy. The process was discussed and agreed upon by all eligible applicants, including these five officers. This process included evaluation of their experience, training and accomplishments by persons from outside the Bishop PD. Only one of them scored in the top 3, and ironically, he was one of the people who I recently appointed as an Acting Sergeant.
3. There is a Memorandum of Understanding (contract) between the Police Officers Association and the City of Bishop. This is a public document and copies are available at the PD. The M.O.U. is an agreement between the Officers/Employees and the City.
This document spells out the rights of Management and gives the Chief of Police the authority to oversee operations of the Department, including scheduling. The MOU also outlines a grievance process by which Officers/Employees can express concerns over working conditions, like those outlined in the letter, through the Chain of Command.
This process allows appeal to the City Council, should an aggrieved employee be unable to settle their grievance at a lower level. Two of the signatures on the letter of no confidence also appear on the MOU. In the 5 years I have been Chief of Police, not a single grievance has been filed by anyone whose name and signature appears on the letter.
4. An internal notice of training regarding Range qualifications was sent out on August 22, 2015, to all sworn personnel, scheduling a Range Training for September 23rd. I’m aware we’re out of policy for our training and the issue was being addressed. This is yet another example of omission of facts in order to avoid presenting the whole truth.
I had been contemplating retirement since 2013. In light of the budgetary issues and other concerns facing the Department and the City of Bishop, I was hoping to help see the Department through and leave it in a better condition than when I took over as Chief in 2010.
The most recent discussions regarding contracting services with the Sheriff’s Department furthered my resolve to try and preserve the continued delivery of professional service to the citizens of Bishop by their own Police Department.
Over the past year, the Department became divided from within. Some of that division was caused by events as outlined in the officers’ letter. While Dan Nolan was, and still is, one of my most trusted friends, I can assure you that I handled that incident appropriately and professionally.
An outside investigator was called in to conduct the investigation. The City’s legal counsel was advised and kept appraised throughout the process and the proper discipline was administered.
Unfortunately, trust within the Agency was damaged. I’m likely responsible for some of that damage because I refused to let Dan’s mistake be the last word in an otherwise stellar career and I also refused to turn my back on him as a friend, as some of these officers suggested was an appropriate response. I offer no apologies for being or having a loyal friend.
The City and the Police Officers Association entered contract negotiations in the spring of this year. During that process, our available personnel was at an all time low and our overtime budget had soared as a result of having several officers off due to work related injuries and recovery.
In speaking with representatives of the union, a conversation took place in my office where the union reps informed me that I could not change the schedule from 12 hour shifts to 8 hour shifts. This is where one of the famous quotes in the letter came from.
Unfortunately, the letter misquotes me. I never used the word “redneck” in expressing my disagreement with the union. The word I used was “Rebel”, and I stand by the statement. When the Officers start dictating to me what hours and shifts they will or won’t work, that’s the “tail wagging the dog” and it ain’t happening on my watch.
Over the course of the summer, when we were suffering a severe manpower shortage, several of those who signed this letter were up for their scheduled vacations. While I could have cancelled or shortened any or all of them, I chose instead to put myself in the patrol schedule.
My badge still says “Police” on it and I’m still capable of doing the job. I handled calls, wrote reports and cancelled my own personal plans so they would not have to cancel theirs.
One of the officers who signed this letter jokingly asked me why I wasn’t signing up for any graveyard shifts and to that I replied, “It’s good to be the King.” Guess that makes me a bully.
Other quotes attributed to me are fairly accurate, however out of context they might be.
I have no tolerance for those who still think this is a little league game. Not everybody gets a trophy (or promotion) for just showing up. We keep score here in the majors and I run a performance based system. I do play favorites. My favorites are those people who consistently give 111% and who solve problems and don’t whine about having to do their job.
If you want a regular schedule with predictable hours and demands, K-mart is hiring. If you don’t like this job, there really are 5 doors in the building, pick one and I’ll help you pack. I respect professional attitudes and conduct.
I will offer the opinion that for these officers to address their concerns in this manner is absolutely unprofessional and it might go a long way to explaining why none of them got a trophy. Any claim that officers are afraid of retaliation is nothing but an excuse.
In my tenure as chief, 5 of these officers have not received as much as a counseling memo from me or directed by me. I have occasionally gotten my facts wrong in a letter of commendation here and there.
The fact is that 6 months ago, I determined that the damage done to the trust within the agency was irreparable and that new leadership was likely the best course. I announced my retirement to the Officers at a meeting in early July.
The same meeting where we discussed the promotional process and also that we would be seeking to fill the Lieutenant’s position. I informed the Officers of the reasons for my decision and that I was hopeful that new leadership would improve morale and “right the ship” internally.
At this time, the Association had refused to sign their contract with the City. At the next City Council meeting, I publicly announced my retirement and the Association signed their contract with no changes shortly thereafter.
What I also made clear is that until I’m gone, I’m still here and I’m still the Chief and we will continue to handle business as we’re paid and expected to do. This includes internal promotions, recruitment of personnel and the maintenance of order and discipline within the Department.
There are many other allegations in the letter that will prove to be completely false, especially those that would call into question the integrity or character of Jim Tatum, Joe Pecsi and any other member of the Bishop Police Department.
There is no conspiracy, no misconduct and no excuse for these Officers to attack others in their attempt to tarnish my reputation or my history of service to this Community. They can offer no proof of the validity of their claims but I can offer absolute proof of my innocence and that of others they have attacked.
In closing, I offer the following; I have done nothing illegal, unethical or immoral as your Chief of Police. I continue to serve at the pleasure of the City Council and will continue to do so while my replacement is sought.
Should the Council choose other options, it has been my honor to serve them and this Community for the past 12 years and I assure you that the men and women of the Bishop Police Department are still serving and protecting to the best of their ability.
To the officers who sent this letter, should the Council decide to retain my services as Chief of Police, I will continue to do my job. There is still an obligation that each of you do yours, remain professional in your dealings with the Community and each other and let any investigation run its course.
This will be my only response to the media on this issue. I will let the findings of the investigation serve as my next response.
Chief C. Carter
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I am amused at how Mr. Carter and his supporters refer to Mr. Nolan’s decision to send “lewd and obscene” pictures to a female subordinate while on duty as a “mistake.” Black’s Law Dictionary defines a “mistake”, in part, as “Some unintentional act, omission, or error arising from ignorance, surprise, imposition, or misplaced confidence.” I am led to believe that Mr. Nolan was not under duress or otherwise impaired when he chose to engage in such behavior, and as such I can hardly label his actions as a “mistake.” Rather, it is a testament to his character and what he holds to be his professional Code of Ethics and his personal set of morals (or the lack thereof).
As was suggested in another post, perhaps there are indeed “skeletons” in Mr. Carter’s closet that Mr. Nolan is privy to (or a party to) to warrant such loyalty from his superior. After all, wrongdoing was clearly found at the conclusion of the investigation, as disciplinary action was meted out. Such an outcome, by default, would open the door to litigation on the part of the female victim, with the City likely scrambling to settle with her to avoid costly and lengthy legal proceedings. Frankly, I find it interesting why a suit has not been brought already in anticipation of the City settling.
Aside from the legal considerations, it also ought to be mentioned that the entire police department has been victimized by this display of presumed cronyism. By Mr. Carter’s own admission, trust within the agency has suffered, not to mention of course the personal and private turmoil likely caused not only to the female victim and her family, but to Mr. Nolan’s family with what has now become such a public debacle in such a small community. It is worth asking if Mr. Carter would have taken an identical approach in dealing with Mr. Nolan with his limp-wristed “discipline” if Mr. Carter’s spouse had been the recipient of the “lewd and obscene” pictures. This is a true test of impartiality.
The apparent failure of Mr. Tatum to provide a voice of reason and caution in what still stands to cost the City obscene amounts of money is troubling, as is the implication of a sitting City Councilman coincidentally having personal business dealings with both Mr. Carter and Mr. Nolan. Mr. Pecsi would be wise to publicly recuse himself of all proceedings related to the forthcoming inquiries that will take place.
I have little doubt that should particular allegations be found accurate, at the very minimum misappropriation of City funds and resources will be a “slam-dunk”. Mr. Nolan’s teaching at the community college while utilizing a Department vehicle and while scheduled for patrol duty (even if he was drawing vacation pay) and a probationary dispatcher being directed to use Department computers while on duty to update Mr. Pecsi’s business website is prima facie evidence for a finding that is not likely to be favorable to these three individuals.
It is interesting to note the apparent discord that Mr. Carter’s promotion of Mr. Gladding has elicited from the majority of the Department. While “guilt by association” would be an unfair characterization of Mr. Gladding, one must wonder what connection there is between he and Mr. Carter, given the obvious divisiveness that already existed in the Department prior to his promotion.
I will observe with bated breath while this story unravels. As for the seven officers who signed the original “Letter of No Confidence”, I pray for their sake that what they assert is not half-truths as Mr. Carter suggests, as they have quite literally pledged their “…fortunes and their sacred honor…” in taking the action they did.
Anyone who works for a chain of command organization, and I did so for 47 years, will run head-on into hard nosed, unyielding, dictators who play favoritism. Often the real leaders are upper and mid level subordinates who call the shots while the Chief plays politics with other powerful leaders. This doesn’t make anyone evil, it’s just the way things work in organizations (military and law enforcement) where strong Alpha males rise to the top. You must have a tough flexible character to survive over long periods of time in any Chain of Command organization. Nobody promised you a Rose Garden.
Russ- Just because something is the way it is or traditional doesn’t make it right. Also, because something is legal doesn’t make it ethical. A true judge of integrity is doing the right thing when nobody is looking. Being in the chain of command whether it’s lower, middle or upper management dictates treating everyone with respect, as they would wish to be treated themself. The best bosses I’ve had or the “Alpha male” you refer to ruled with firmly but were fair and they kept themselves and the company out of trouble like this by not bringing their integrity, ethics or personal motivations into question. Doing anthing different will come full circle, you know, karma, bite you in the rear etc. Appears the circle is nearly complete in this case, however, let the investigators separate the facts from fiction here. Two sides to every story.
Dear City Council
I practice law up and down this valley.
I charge 300 dollars an hour.
Retire Chief Carter tomorrow.
Have an outside agency control all promotions.
Take away Pam’s and Rhonda’s keyboard!!!!!
Take away Nolan’s cell phone or any camera!!
Find out what’s wrong with Gladding ASAP!!!!
That will be 5 bucks………………….Your welcome!!
If you charge $300 hour for practicing law up and down this valley you are part of the problem.
Unauthorized practice of law
I don’t think of it as a “smear campaign” as much as the truth bubbling up from the morass of stink that has been Bishop since I was a child.
Chief, you keep holding on tight with the tips of your finger and nails until the skin is worn off.
I’m glad to see Bishop finally changing for the better and finding it’s voice along with the change of fresh, bright paint colors.
The GOB club has cracked.
Your cronyism has brought you to the lofty heights of meritocracy in your administration.
When Roy Chacon sat on the Bishop City Councel years ago, he completed a feasibility study with the idea of contracting services with the sheriffs dept. The sheriff said it could easily be done. I don’t remember the actual cost savings it would have provided to the City if Bishop, but it was MONUMENTAL!! ….it was poo pooed by the good ole boy mentality . Maybe it’s time to re consider, huh?
Regionalization of services makes sense and it can often be a significant cost savings.
(However it does make it more difficult to be the king when your kingdom no longer exists)
It’s that kingdom mentality that will stand in the way of regionalization. Local managers and politicians are often very resistant to the idea of giving up their power. And when they’re the ones making the decisions on whether or not to regionalize…
@charlesO.jones – Power Corrupts, And Absolute Power, Corrupts Absolutely
Not, “redneck”, “rebel” yet the next sentence says “it “ain’t” happening on my watch.” Doesn’t sound like “rebel” to this old timer. Hard to believe anything in this response.
Just retire and do all the tax payers a favor.
You can pick up your check next Friday.
One question for your resignation, Chief. If you are not dirty, why didn’t you recuse yourself from the investigstion/decision into you friend/business partner/ suboridnate? We’re you afraid he was going t be fired like he should of?
Does anybody remember the last time this happened? Every officer except a new hire on probation signed a similar letter. The city council and the grand jury investigated. Nothing ever happened.
Steve, I remember!! My understanding is that because the investigation was not done properly it just got thrown out. The chief at the time was not found to be innocent but nothing happened due to some technicality. I hope this gets handled much differently !!
From a citizen looking in from the outside and reading the Officer’s letter, the response from the Chief, and the responses from my fellow citizens, I have seen the same thing in the past. This is not a smear campaign, it is officers standing up for their rights and the rights of our community. Certain people get promoted and others get a slap on the wrist for violating laws and policies and you ask why. For me it is obvious, particular individuals (The Chief and the three that did not sign the letter) have been compromised in one way or the other and have discovered the skeletons in the closet. You may ask, “How does one keep these scary skeletons from escaping the closet?” People in turn do favors for one another. I see that Officer Ron Glading was promoted to sergeant. I wonder what he has seen, heard, knows or did. I also see that Officer Dan Nolan was put back into a supervisory position as an acting sergeant after being removed from such position. I wonder what he has seen, heard, knows or did. If the Chief will admit he knows his buddy made only one mistake during his stellar career, it really makes you wonder what else the Chief has done, seen, heard, or knows. Rewards flourish if you know or have seen the skeletons. I read that there may be an investigation into this matter, but if the Mayor and the City Council keep this in house nothing will be fixed. Again, the “Good Ole Boy” syndrome. The Officers and the Mayor need to seek guidance and include the Attorney General’s Office to ensure a proper and thorough investigation is done.
Concerned Citizen, you are spot on! Having spent 29 years as a LEO, 7 of those years were at a small town department (AKA-KIngdom). I had to witness the same corruption as these officers. The truth will come out as to the fraud and cronyism that is apparent with this administration. I’m sure the States AG and POST would be interested in an investigation into these matters.
Chief, don’t think because you are going to retire means this will go away. Being involved in criminal actions means you will get all the attention you and others deserve.
I also noticed some dislikes to Concerned Citizens response. They must be the city counsel people and police officers that are “good friends”.
I think both sides are wrong in going public with this stuff. This stuff happens at every business and company in this Valley. Talk about every body throwing everyone under the bus.
This is a mess. The only honorable thing to do resign immediately and not accept the interim chief position.
Well put Concerned Citizen! 100 % agree with you!
Concerned Citizen, Your analysis is excellent! There is really not much more that needs to be said. It shows that Chief Carter is actually pathological about what he does and says.
A real leader would have excluded himself from any decisions regarding his friend because it would be impossible for him to be objective.
Remember when the city hired the ‘Colonel’ but backed out and hired Tatum instead. It cost the city I believe 100k for that. The city sure would have benefited from having the Colonel here now to run the city. As someone posted the other day. The “Good ole boy” system is alive and well.
In the Chiefs letter he states that there is a divide within the department and by having new leadership he hoped to improve morale. In the officers letter, it does not say much about the promotion of sergeant. Except that the 7 officers had serious concerns with his honesty and integrity. So I take it that there is more to that story. Why on earth would you promote someone who most of your officers don’t trust. Then turn around and promote Officer Nolan. If you really cared about fixing the department, that probably wasn’t the best route to go. I completely understand why so many of your officers have lost trust and faith in you. As a citizen of bishop I have also lost trust in you.
I think they all need a debriefing.
In reading Chief Carters response letter, I noticed a couple of interesting facts, written in his own words:
“Over the past year, the Department became divided from within. Some of that division was caused by events as outlined in the officers’ letter. While Dan Nolan was, and still is, one of my most trusted friends, I can assure you that I handled that incident appropriately and professionally.”
“Unfortunately, trust within the Agency was damaged. I’m likely responsible for some of that damage because I refused to let Dan’s mistake be the last word in an otherwise stellar career and I also refused to turn my back on him as a friend, as some of these officers suggested was an appropriate response. I offer no apologies for being or having a loyal friend.”
“The fact is that 6 months ago, I determined that the damage done to the trust within the agency was irreparable and that new leadership was likely the best course.”
1. The chief admitted he was likely responsible for damage of trust within his department.
2. Dan Nolan is a trusted friend and the chief “refused to let Dan’s mistake be the last word on his career and refused to turn his back on Ofc. Nolan (I’m assuming Officer Nolan was looking at being terminated for such an egregious offense) .
3. The Chief will offer no apologies for being a “loyal friend” to Ofc. Nolan.
Now correct me if I’m wrong, but shouldn’t Chief Carter be a chief for the whole department? Isn’t being the chief meaning you manage and lead without favoritism toward anyone? And based on his own words, it appears Ofc. Nolan should have been terminated for such a violation of trust to the whole department, but as Chief Carter stated, “he refused to let Dan’s mistake be the last word.” Who is the he to “refuse” anything regarding an investigation of “his loyal friend.” This is a prime example of why Chief Carter should have removed himself from Ofc. Nolan’s investigation!!!!!!!!! And let someone other than himself determined the discipline for his loyal and good friend!!!! And why would Chief Carter make Ofc. Nolan an acting supervisor less than a year following such a violation of department trust?
And the bigger question is where is Tatum in managing and putting a stop to this mess and blatant favoritism?????
Chief Carter also admits his department had “become divided“ and “trust had been damage.” News flash – this happened under your leadership and supervison!!!!! And now you’re complaining that 7-officers within “your department” are outraged and have no confidence in you to further lead them??? I wonder why??? Your officers don’t trust you, but I bet Ofc. Nolan thinks you’re the best chief ever!!
And we even haven’t addressed the conflict of interest issues surrounding you, Nolan, and other mentioned city council business partners. Or the fact your department was out of compliance regarding gun qualification. I’m sure Chief Carter’s business firearms training courses never missed a day of instruction when they are getting paid to double and triple dip money in their own wallets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess I have a bigger concern also. Why would the chief be so loyal to Ofc. Nolan when he violated his trust as a supervisor and friend? Nolan clearly should have known the rules of the department and maliciously violated them, placing Chief Carter in a situation where he felt it necessary to apparently run block on a pending termination offense and violate the trust of the department in doing so. And again, where is Tatum in all of this??? I don’t see one ounce of managing from the city administrator!!!! What are we paying him for? To still worry about the fairgrounds??? To listen to Chief Carter and simply say “Sure Chief,” why’ll the department goes to hell in a hand basket and favoritism is rampant!
Thanks for the letter Chief! It clearly explains why the 7- officers are right and you and Tatum have dropped the ball on losing the trust of your officers and the community!!!!!
You couldn’t have said it better!
You hit the nail on the head. Well said and true.
Dear Concerned Citizen, PERFECT !!!!!!!!
Wow looks like many Bishop people have voiced their concerns.
I think the city council and the city administrator should take notice, place the chief on suspension, and have an outside investigation be conducted!!!!!!!!!
I’ve seen something similar happen at another agency. It was sad because a pretty solid police department essentially tore itself up, shed a lot of good officers who were tired of the BS, and still hasn’t recovered. All because the Chief “helped a buddy out” when the buddy did something that quite simply should have gotten him arrested let alone lose his police career. A Police Department needs to be run in such a way that ALL are accountable to the same standard and that the higher they go in rank that standard should actually be raised. If not trust is lost and is likely not regained until the upper ranks get cleaned out. If the feeling is that this Sergeant Nolan got saved while the rank and file believe the rest of them would have been fired for the same offense, then this Chief has failed.
As I said in the other thread – No Confidence votes rarely work out well for anyone involved.
On a separate note: Unless there is specific language in the MOU specifying otherwise, work schedules are subject to the meet and confer process before changes can be made. From the chief’s description, it doesn’t sound as though this occurred. The meeting he describes sounds far from the legally required process of meeting and conferring in GOOD FAITH. Perhaps these “rebels” were just trying to stand up for the rights afforded to them in their MOU? Rights that they felt were being ignored? It may be “good to be the king”, but a police department is not a kingdom.
Lets hope cooler heads will prevail and this will get better before it gets worse.
I gotta wonder if they need seven new bailiffs at the new court house?
What is wrong with working at K-Mart? Made himself sound like a bigger jerk than the Officer’s letter did.
All of this, and the 2 CEO’s being told to step down are showing me Bishop has a problem with drama. That or they like to eliminate people before the fiscal year starts. Or both.
I feel like I’m living in a 22 Peyton Place Paradigm. How sad and embarrassing all around.
It seems that the behavior of the police and the hospital employees have something in common, kill your leader for your own selfish agenda. Where is the city council? Will they act as weak as the hospital board and cave to the disgruntled police officers? What happens when no one wants to lead? What happens when costs go up because of good old boy management?
No mention of the use of City resources for his personal business venture. I think this was the most serious allegation and should be investigated. If one or two officers had signed this, hardly anyone would have taken notice, however with seven officers signing, there are a lot of issues that need to be looked at carefully. I would suggest the policy and procedures manually be looked at very carefully for needed corrections including handling personnel matters. Sounds like way to much was left up to the discretion of the chief and he should not be heavily involved in the hiring of the new chief to avoid current and future potential conflicts of interest.
Probably won’t have to worry about the hiring of a new chief if the Sheriff takes over! Whatcha think?!?
So, who”s going to be the prom queen?
My favorite paragraph is the one about little league. Some of the men who signed that letter are probably the best at the PD and give more then 111%. He sounds so arrogant that I believe the 7 officers even more. Thank you Chief
You are absolutely right, most of the officers who signed this letter are with out a doubt the best officers at the B.P.D. and give more than “111 %” I know this personally and stand behind them.
That man could sell ice to an Eskimo, still don’t buy it. You have proven them right.
Enough said.