The Newport Beach Police Employees Assn. is examining that very issue. This association historically isn’t controversial or confrontational, so why raise uncomfortable questions now?
Categorized by some as just “whiny or disgruntle employees”, they say morale, not money is their issue.
They’ve began taking meetings with individual council members, whose only prior contact with them has been when they’re posturing for powerful association endorsements during election time.
What do they hope to accomplish? It seems they feel the time is ripe for change, and that comes with communication.
As with any good family, you need to go back and look at its history. Dysfunction passes through generations.
Rumors of sexual harassment in the department and mishandling of evidence auctions surrounded former Police Chief Arb Campbell in the 1990s.
Another problematic issue was that there was only one employees’ association, thus officers felt intimidated as they voted on issues as upper management sat by.
They feared career advancement could be blocked depending on how they voted. A second association was eventually created for upper police management, but the mistrust of career retribution carried on into the next generation.
Chief Bob McDonnell was hired, retired and rehired. The fact that he was collecting his retirement package along with a salary, though perfectly legal, had some calling foul at this so-called “double dipping.” McDonnell was criticized for being too involved in policing projects and issues outside of Newport and not spending enough time with the officers — an issue he strongly denies.
According to McDonnell, in monthly meetings with association officials, their morale complaints were never specific enough to act upon.
