At this point, we only know that Klein was hired improperly; City Manager Homer Bludau failed to adhere to city rules governing how hirings and promotions take place. To simplify: He hired from within without floating the job to possible outside candidates.
But we need to know more.
Daily Pilot reporter Joseph Serna has been reporting exhaustively on this issue from its inception. And reporter Brianna Bailey broke the news of the chief’s resignation.
But the city has repeatedly balked at Daily Pilot efforts to get public documents — such as internal e-mails and memos — that could shed light on the issue. Serna made a formal request to see those documents in late March.
Still, the city is stalling, which makes you wonder: What was the full extent of the improprieties going on in the Newport Beach Police Department?
Remember, an officer who claimed he was passed over for promotions because he was rumored to be gay (he’s not) recently won a $1 million-plus settlement from the city. And the unions representing management and the rank and file are crying foul over this entire debacle.
Clearly, there’s wrongdoing going on at an alarming level. It’s time for transparency.
Remember, we, the press, and you, the public, are entitled to the documents that Serna has requested.
This isn’t China; these documents are a matter of public record. So why doesn’t somebody — Bludau comes to mind — make this happen?
Only when we take an unfettered look at what went wrong in the past can we create a better future for the Newport Beach Police Department.
So somebody step up.
We’re waiting.
