Joe,
Here's a New York Times link to findings.
Ridley, a Mt Vernon officer was off duty and attempting to assist other uniformed officers of another agency when he was shot by them. He was not in Mt Vernon at the time. Officer Edwards was an off duty NYPD officer shot in NYC in another friendly-fire situation around the same era.
Doesn't appear the new chief, or her previous agency, was responsible. In fact, think she didn't make chief until after Ridley's death.
Other thoughts on the appointment:
She is regionally a 'local' for those who attach importance to that; Dover roots and an OC seasonal officer, so it's a homecoming of sorts. Has sibling living in Berlin so she may well be abreast of the situation in Salisbury.
Has a high level of training; JD degree and FBI training. Would have collaborated extensively with NYPD since Mt Vernon abuts da Bronx. Would have participated/seen Guiliani's crackdown of the minor stuff that sets the stage for the bigger stuff.
Mt Vernon is just shy of 70K population jammed into 4.4 sq miles; 70% minority of one background or another.
She supervised @ 250 staff.
Clearly she was no better than 2nd in the mayor's selection process, if rumor is fact; we're probably better off for that error on his part.
With all respect for Acting Chief Barkley, who I do not know, he may be the 'victim' of less career preparation on his part coupled with whatever taint working for Webster may have left. I'm not negative about him at all, but once the decision to look beyond promoting him was made he ran the risk of dropping down or out of the process as resumes arrived.
With all respect to Lt. Leatherbury, who I do not know, his career has certainly benefited from his father's efforts and legacy; MSP patrol activities normally are more spread out and I believe barracks have far fewer officers than SPD; and, he is active in one of the political parties, which leaves me a bit squishy about having a mayor and chief with politics as a side dish to regular business.
Re: Webster; having personally hired many and fired a few across the decades, think his removal was handled pretty adroitly and in a cost effective fashion. First, he was clearly instructed, and when he chafed was documented and written up; he went away pretty handily afterward. Point for Ireton (not that he's scored many points).
Regards,
An Interested Reader
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
9 comments:
I.R.
Good intel; thanks from all of us.
I knew about the Berlin connection, but none of the rest.
Another I.R.
She is not local so don't try to smooth things over with that one.
A P.O.'d Reader
Was she a seasonal officer @ OC?
Ivan Barkley trained under Coulbourn Dykes, not Webster, so no taint there.
Barkley got no support or resources from the mayor or the council (except Campbell and Cohen who were overruled by that sorry excuse for a president Louise Smith).
That Barkley accomplished what he did in less than a year is amazing as Ireton made clear the drop in crime and he deserved better than the shaft from the mayor.
That said, I got no beef with this new chief coming in. Also an I.R., I looked up what I could and she was a stronger candidate than Leatherbury.
Let's support our police, period. How about that?
I vote for Ivan for Mayor next electiion.
From reading the story, it appears that TWO cops were shot by other cops...the police in new york, once they pull their piece out, not only empty the clip, but they apparently empty the clip at whatever is moving....thats a well trained police force (NOT!), but their AIM leaves a lot to be desired....and when the call goes out for "back-up', i wonder how many cops up there think two or three times before they risk it....LOL
Anon 7:05 PM,
I can see Ireton still has a few fans left in his fan club. I refuse to support the new chief. As a tax paying citizen I have that right and I am sure you aren't.
why don't you people reserve judgement until you actually see how the new chief performs?
Isn't it interesting that Comegys returned to the Council just in time to break a tie vote and SCREW the Police Department once again. I hope all the employees stick around, but wouldn't blame them if they don't.
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