EBR council hears from public on electing police chief

Advocate staff photo by PATRICK DENNIS -- Metro Councilwoman C. Denise Marcelle, left, speaks during discussion Wednesday of a proposed move to make the position of Baton Rouge police chief an elected rather than appointed position. Listening, right, is Councilman Buddy Amoroso.

Fallout from Police Chief Dewayne White’s firing continued in the chambers of the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council on Wednesday as some members of the public urged council members to allow voters, instead of the mayor, to pick the police chief.

But because of low public turnout — only four people from the audience spoke at the meeting — Councilwoman C. Denise Marcelle asked to defer the Metro Council’s debate on the issue until March 13.

Marcelle, in the aftermath of White’s termination, had placed an item on the council agenda to open discussion about whether the council should move to change the process of selecting the police chief to make it an elective position. Such a move would require a change in the Plan of Government that would have to be approved by voters.

All four speakers at Wednesday’s council meeting said they support allowing the police chief to be selected by voters.

“Baton Rouge can no longer accept an appointed police chief,” Charles Bethley told council members. “We can no longer tolerate a mayor who is seemingly in the back pocket of the police union.”

Holden fired White earlier this month, accusing him of insubordination and violating various protocols and procedures. White, in a hearing last week, accused the administration of micromanaging him because of pressure from the police union and of thwarting his efforts to deal with racial and sexual discrimination issues inside the department.

Phillip Lillard told council members he’d rather have 300,000 or 400,000 people voting for a police chief rather than leaving the choice to one person.

Speakers also lauded White’s efforts to deal with discrimination in the department’s ranks.

“What troubled me most of all was the fact that we had a white police chief calling a black mayor to task for not protecting the rights of black citizens,” the Rev. Reginald Pitcher said. “I thought if anyone would be sensitive to the needs of the African-American community it would be (the mayor), but apparently I was mistaken.”

Mike Knepper said electing a police chief would allow the chief to do his or her job “without any outside influence.”

Marcelle said the earliest the council could put an item on the ballot for voters to decide if they wanted to change the way the chief is selected would be Oct. 19. She urged the public to attend the March 13 meeting to voice their opinions.

“I did this so we could open a conversation and a dialogue of what we want to do here,” Marcelle said. “Do we want a board to appoint a chief; do we want to elect our chief? We owe that to our constituents who are calling and asking us to discuss this matter.”

William Daniel, chief administrative officer to Mayor-President Kip Holden, said he does not think the public comments made supporting White represent the views of the majority of the people in the parish.

Daniel, who recommended White’s dismissal, also urged the public to withhold judgment until all the facts come out.

“Once all the facts have been presented, I think people will have an entirely different picture of what was going on in the police chief’s office,” Daniel said.

He added that the Mayor’s Office will actively make its case against White at his public appeals hearing before the civil service board.

Comments

1) Comment by Hello Baton Rouge - 28/02/2013

Whether appointed or not and whether White was the man for the job or not, lets not forget one thing: Kip Holden is adamant that White was not a good chief all the while Kip Holden is the man who appointed him and thought he was the best man for the job. What does that say about Kip Holden? It says he has no clue about what makes a good chief and what doesn't. He's not qualified to make the decision as he is setting out to prove by defaming White in the coming weeks.

2) Comment by Hello Baton Rouge - 28/02/2013

markedwardmarchifava are you just sore because the sheriff beat you in that fail lawsuit you filed or because they made you go back to Greenwell Springs hospital and take your meds?

3) Comment by PLac - 28/02/2013

This issue should be settled in a courtroom "IMMEDIATELY". The Chief should be well within his rights to move idle employee to another position; where the 8 day notice could not apply (non- applicable vs timesheet problem).

4) Comment by Whatnow - 28/02/2013

Duckyluve, she doesn't think the Mayor should be influenced by the union, not being able to influence the police chief. No elected official should be influenced by any union, especially a union who donates to his election. The union seems to be calling the shots.

5) Comment by markedwardmarchiafava - 28/02/2013

The sheriff protect you? LOL, that's the funniest thing I've heard today......

6) Comment by janiea - 28/02/2013

If we are to combine the two, the Sheffiff should be the leader. Constitutionally they are here to protect us. I would rather see the Sheriff's office take over the whole parish and hire the City Police Departments best and brightest to work.

7) Comment by twinkie1cat - 28/02/2013

Duckylove: I don't think Denise Marcelle wants the mayor to have no influence over the police chief. I think she does not want the mayor to be his or her boss or have the power to fire him. Marcelle is a bright and thinking representative who cares about her district and saw the positive influence the BRAVE project has had over it so far. Both she and Ronnie Edwards are over the area, with each sometimes having parts of the same short street and both actively seek input from their constituencies.

8) Comment by markedwardmarchiafava - 28/02/2013

LOL, only four bothered to show up, proof-positive everyone knows nothing of substance will change under ANY chief.

9) Comment by fedupebr - 28/02/2013

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought we only had roughly 228,000 people living in the city limits? How many of these are actually registered to vote?

10) Comment by phil - 28/02/2013

I think the view that the best qualified candidate is not always chosen brings up a good point but I could possibly use the same argument to push having a dictator run the entire country and just do away with ALL elections. One problem is, I think not enough voters get involved in the democratic process or really study the issues and really look at the backgrounds of the people they elect. Some towns and cities around Baton Rouge have had major problems with their Mayors. Do we really want to leave the choice (and control?) of the police chief up to one person?

11) Comment by Attila - 28/02/2013

Suzanne: What does insisting that the "most qualified individual would be picked" have to do with "opposing both the mayor and the president who were elected by clear majorities"? The fact that a person is elected to an office by a clear majority is no guarantee that the are the most "qualified". It is merely a popularity contest, and in the instant case of the Mayor and the President it is obvious that they were elected by low information voters and have demonstrated by their performance that they were NOT the most qualified for the job,.

12) Comment by phil - 28/02/2013

These are 2 quotes from the article" "All four speakers at Wednesday’s council meeting said they support allowing the police chief to be selected by voters." "William Daniel, chief administrative officer to Mayor-President Kip Holden, said he does not think the public comments made supporting White represent the views of the majority of the people in the parish" Four out of four people (100 percent) who showed up to speak were in favor of having an elected police chief, but the conclusion is that the 4 views do not represent the views of the majority. Ok, how does anyone come to that conclusion? On combining the 2 police departments, I like the idea of having one police department that can possibly police the other police department - and also look up "constitutional sheriffs" on the Internet for some interesting information.

13) Comment by SuzanneMS - 28/02/2013

Ironic, isn't it, that those who are insisting that the "most qualified individual would be picked" are the same ones who oppose both the mayor and the president, who were elected by clear majorities? I like your idea, twinkie1cat. We elect the mayor and the council to represent us -- let them represent us. Actually, though, I am in favor of combining the police and sheriff's office. It makes no sense when we have a combined city/parish government to not have combined policing. And the parish just isn't that big that we need both. It is, however, very confusing if you live anywhere near the city limits, to know whom to call.

14) Comment by tradewinns - 28/02/2013

supposedly the most qualified indivdual would be picked. of course our selection of our current president show that doesn't always happen. however as the race for chief of police would be a local race, the taxpayer would be more selective.

15) Comment by twinkie1cat - 28/02/2013

I am not sure election is the right way to pick a police chief. I am concerned that, instead of the most qualified person, we could end up with the one who has the largest campaign fund, like when Jindal was re-elected. However, the method needs to be changed. First, only highly qualified candidates should be allowed to run, much as the Coroner has to be physician, the chief must be intelligent, and experienced. I suggest a college degree, a rank of at least Sargent in some police department, and 10 or more years of experience in law enforcement. As far as selecting the chief goes, I think it should be a combined majority vote of the Mayor and the Metro Council and any problems that occur should be resolved with both entitites. This might be a good way to bring the mayor and council into a state of working together instead of being at odds with one another.

16) Comment by Duckyluve - 28/02/2013

I find it funny how marcelle doesn't want the mayor to be able to influence the police chief yet she took full advantage of her "connection " to the chief and had plenty of influence herself. What a hypocrite. Do people really think they will get a quality chief through an election? Will there be any qualifications or will any crackhead in the city limits be able to run?

17) Comment by LawyerDan65 - 28/02/2013

Electing a chief from where? Woul dhe run just in Baton Rouge, not the wholes parish? THen the whole parish, through the Metro Council, will be pitted against an elected official who would demanded they "properly fund his department"...Maybe we already have an elected chief law enforcemnt officer - Sheriff Gautreaux?

18) Comment by Hello Baton Rouge - 28/02/2013

Oh Daniel finally opened his mouth? I'm not as concerned with electing the chief as I am about our CAO not knowing the proper legal method used in terminating an employee. You'd think when you are firing the police chief you'd be smart enough to have an attorney present and ask him if he'd like the same. What does Daniel do? Issues a letter of termination without giving 15 days notice as required by law and then later getting the Mayor to declare that the letter of termination was only a letter stating that white was on administrative leave. This was followed by Daniel and Holden running from reporters outside the Mayors office as if they had just been busted on camera soliciting prostitutes. Way to represent, guys. We need more professionals like yourselves in office. And, Daniel, when you fire the police chief (because you know so much about running a police dept), have the decency to speak at the hearing rather than sitting there with a deer in the headlights look. It will make you appear to have a clue about whats going on. Again, i'm more concerned with an administration that knows what they are doing regarding personnel issues than I am with deciding whether or not to elect the chief or appoint him. While we're throwing stones, however, lets not forget that the Mayor is the one that appointed this chief, so if all this evidence that comes out turns out to make this a valid termination, always remember that Holden thought he was the best guy for the job.

19) Comment by dday198 - 28/02/2013

well 4 people gave 2 **its about it.

20) Comment by Mr. T - 27/02/2013

WAFB and Nola.com are both reporting that the city council deferred this because the Advocate had incorrectly reported that this item was scheduled for March 13. Yet the Advocate doesn't mention a word about their own alleged screw-up. Smells like a cover- up.

21) Comment by LouisCannon - 27/02/2013

Guess there isn't some way for the mayor to be fired, huh.