This is going to be a hard article to write. Rarely do I write in the first person, but today I have to. It is now apparent that Chief McQueen is NOT going to promote off of the promotion list that he presently has in his hands. I am not going to say much about the list or the process. What can I say? It was my list and I stand by it.
I will always believe that the officers of the CPD are some of the finest I have ever worked with in the 27 years of my law enforcement career. Chief McQueen has told me on numerous occasions that he was going to promote from the existing list. I am not sure why he has changed his mind.
The men and women of the CPD stood proud last night and should be proud of their efforts. They should listen to Councilman Mickens and not give up the fight. Many of the officers made great points about the department and should be commended for their courage to stand up for their beliefs.
Many officers have championed Chief McQueen’s cause and wanted him to be Chief. After this shift of gears by McQueen, only time will tell what is going to happen. His officers have been his greatest supporters. I will let others write the blow-by-blow descriptions of what happened Tuesday night, but I think this change of direction McQueen has made will have a far-reaching impact on the CPD and the community. As Kabir asked last night, when discussing board appointments, “Why are we changing the rules midstream?” I am sure a lot of officers are asking the same question now.
With this promotional process obviously stopped, and the Joe Johnson case settled, I no longer have any unfinished business at CPD. In a way, it is a relief. It will be easier for me to write about the CPD, now. From this moment forward, I can cover it like any other city agency. And, unless someone says something fictitious about me and my time as Chief, that part of my life is closed.
Some may be disappointed that I am not going to give a fight-on-fight description of Tuesday’s meeting. It is the best thing for me to do, and I’ll pick up the coverage of what is occurring at Thursday’s Civil Service meeting. At that time, I am no longer involved in the process.
I am now free to tell the good, the bad and the ugly. Only time will tell what will happen. But, if last night was any indication, Chief McQueen lost many of his most loyal supporters… his officers.
And, that cannot be good for our community.
JBS
Note: The next three months on the CPD could be a make or break time…we will see what happens!
February 9, 2012 at 6:36 am
no surprise to me , i mean it was ok for them to change the qualifilcations so he could be our new chief so does anything he and the mayor do now surprise anyone . i am sure they already have people in mind for the jobs . columbus is in for alot more promblems then i can imagine . i really feel bad for the officers who have some many years already invested in the department ,and i know how hard it must be to keep a good morale and contindure to work there
February 9, 2012 at 7:09 am
My heart is heavy reading this as the wife of one of those veteran officers. I have watched first hand the struggle and the impact this has had on him. The impact this will have is going to be catastrophic. Our chief wants to hold these men to standards he can not even meet. What little morale that was left died with that promotion list which is scary on so many levels. I hold fast to prayer and I know God is in control, but I also have to believe these men will be punished for what they are doing…
February 9, 2012 at 9:28 am
I have never worked in law enforcement, but I did work in the federal government for 40 years. Sometime it’s for the good of the organization that experienced managers and specialists be brought in from the outside to move it in a new direction. Organizations can get caught in ruts. You don’t promote individuals into jobs just because they outlasted everyone. Has anyone ever heard of the “Peter Principle”? The Peter Principle states that “in a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence”, in other words employees tend to be promoted until they reach a position in which they cannot work competently” .I’m not saying that every officer/employee on the promotion list fits that principle, but it’s a possibility there are some. So, I think bringing in some new blood is a good thing. But, I don’t advocate a wholesale change.
February 9, 2012 at 10:43 am
Put this whole mess on the shoulders of our great Mayor and him little followers. Do you or anyone else think this crap will get any better? If we go thru 4 more years of this crap our little town will fold like a 2 dollar wallet. I have seen other town and cities go down with a lot less problems than Columbus has. Everybody knows what the problems are but for some reason don’t want to talk about them. What are YOU (people of Columbus) going to do about it. Nothing !!!!!!!!!! I am planning to move to Tenn. as soon as my house sells. Good luck on that happening in this town.
February 9, 2012 at 12:38 pm
last one out of columbus, turn out the lights.
February 9, 2012 at 7:02 pm
A men to this Lisa
February 9, 2012 at 12:54 pm
John W…that is very true in other places and in other organizations. Not this one. They will not hire the best or the most qualified. The people that will be brought in are people they already have in mind that will further an agenda. This whole thing is just a piece of the puzzle. If anyone really thinks this policy change is to bring in top quality managers from other places, they are not paying attention. This is to get people in here who are already on board and have their marching orders. Believe that!!
February 9, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Street King,
Not following your logic. Do you really think the best and brightest are already here and that anyone coming in is just a lackey?
February 9, 2012 at 3:45 pm
a-men street king. That is exactly what they want. When this happens we will all be up the creek. No paddles-no way out. Remember to vote early and often. God Bless this one horse town. Heil to King Robert
February 9, 2012 at 8:10 pm
what is this all about. You can not just say things are crazy and not give the whole story. You know how screwed up the CPD is. (not the officers) The leadership and Mayor. TELL US ABOUT it. Why are you holding back ? Take them down with you. If you don’t tell the REAL STORY no one else will. Tell us Joe. We want to know. You may be the last hope we have to learn the TRUTH. Don’t let the Packet get the last word !
February 9, 2012 at 8:12 pm
If you want to know too – then press on the stars to let Joe know we are out there. Or are you happy being a mushroom ?
February 10, 2012 at 12:04 am
Don’t worry…I will be addressing the new promotions tomorrow in our at the end of the week segment.
JBS
February 9, 2012 at 10:58 pm
John W….you’re not listening. Has nothing to do with the best and the brightest whether they are inside or outside the department. This is about power and control.
February 10, 2012 at 7:13 am
Let it all hang out Big Joe !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 10, 2012 at 9:26 am
Joe keep up the good work It not long till welection time and we all can make a difference, and GOD is withn us all
February 10, 2012 at 2:18 pm
It’s the end of the week. What about it Joe. Everybody I talk to wants to hear from you. We are all wanting to hear your side. Don’t let them win.
February 10, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Don’t you worry…..I am coming!!!!!! HAHAHAHA
February 10, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Don’t let them get the last HAHA. Don’t hold back now Joe. You owe them one. A big one.
February 10, 2012 at 5:07 pm
ohhhhhhhh don’t worry……!
February 26, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Hate to say it but crime has already gone up in Columbus once McQueen took over, it was a given. His own people commented about his criminal tendencies and his associations. Well, now it is apparent, crime in the city and county has increased and only keeps getting worse. You can see more gang members driving around the city and county. He has instituted a “no chase” policy which only allows his criminal friends escape under the guise of “safety”. He has given them an “out”!!! Now he is establishing a policy to hire and install officers outside of Columbus without seniority. This only serves his agenda, criminals in the police force to pad his pockets and let the criminals take over!!! Keep your eyes open, there are a lot more gang members hanging out in the city than there used to be!! Look at Memphis and see where we are going to be in the next 5 years, McQueen is in their pocket!! McQueen needs to GO!!