Second of two parts
Re “Ewell Rebukes the Police Union” and “POA Officer Talks About the Next Move in Chief-Union Dispute”
Police Chief Don Pedersen, under siege from the police union for alleged ethical violations, can only hope that the new City Manager, John Nachbar, who arrives in mid-August, defends him as stoutly as Interim City Manager Lamont Ewell, who has just three days left after tonight.
Mr. Ewell believes in the integrity of Mr. Pedersen so firmly that he has become a virtual human shield against the police union’s no-confidence vote and subsequent job-busting campaign.
Since arriving at City Hall last April 1, Mr. Ewell has plunged into an investigation of circumstances with the vigor of a permanent blue-ribbon employee instead one nearing his final hours.
As an aside, short of offering him a Bell-type of salary package, certain City Hall officials have tried mghtily to tempt the retired administrator to remain in charge of Culver City by employing every lure at hand except the keys to the Sony Studios’ vault.
“Chief Pedersen has spent 25-plus years in this profession,” Mr. Ewell said, “and he never has been accused of being misleading, has never been accused of lacking integrity. Why would he come to Culver City and start demonstrating traits that he never has demonstrated in his career?
“In fact, this man is highly regarded within his profession as someone who is progressive, forward-thinking, well-read, a very well prepared police chief. This is all I have ever seen in my short time here.”
Mr. Ewell turned to one of the crucial points of philosophical confliction, which the union maintains discourages more aggressive safety methods.
“The police chief believes strongly in the concept of customer service,” said the City Manager, “a higher level for the residents of Culver City. This is a philosophical difference with the Police Officers Assn. The union kept telling me that they want to be a pro-active organization and he is trying to make them re-active.
“I am saying that if demonstrating good, solid customer service practices is re-active, I will take it every day of the week.
“Our responsibility, whether in law enforcement or the public sector in general, should always be to provide the highest level of public safety as well as good customer service.
“I am not seeing the union’s argument at all.”
Mr. Ewell has met with POA officers several times, never with fewer than four board members present.
Union Viewpoint
“The union named cities they thought were re-active instead of pro-active,” said Mr. Ewell. “One was Santa Monica (where Mr. Ewell recently completed four years as City Manager). I believe Santa Monica officers go well out of their way to demonstrate to the public their commitment and their ability to help as well as to be mindful of crime.
“I don’t know what the union’s vision of pro-active would mean.
“I also have spoken to the attorney who handles claims for the city. Since Chief Pedersen has come here and been making incremental changes, the attorneys told me that claims about profiling and about aggressiveness in the field have gone down.
“That is the type of policing you want to see. You want to respect the Fourth Amendment rights of everyone and you also want to help in reducing crime. These are more solid statistics that say he is doing his job the right way.”
Mr. Ewell said that in recent times, police unions in Escondido and Monrovia have used negative tactics to drive home their complaints with the public.
“I hope that the POA is not exploring this kind of strategy, negative billboards and newspaper advertisements.
“I was a bit disappointed in Mr. Fitzpatrick’s statement (POA Board member Brian) that not everything will remain on the table, that it will depend on what the police chief or the City Council does.
“That is completely unprofessional. If the POA is using these tactics, I have mentioned the fact that the residents of Culver City are sophisticated. They will see through such tactics.
“The community does not deserve to be intimidated or scared by being told they are not safe as a way for the union to get its needs met.”
(To be continued)
