shueman
06-11-2006, 06:18 AM
BY DAVID BELL
Saturday, June 10, 2006 10:43 PM MDT
In a release issued late Friday evening, Lake Havasu City Manager Richard Kaffenberger announced that Police Chief John Alexander has been fired. No reason for the termination was given but Alexander's attorney said the firing may be politically motivated.
“As of 5 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2006, I formally released John Alexander from his responsibilities as Chief of the Lake Havasu City Police Department, and his employment with the City. Mayor Jackson and our City Council members are informed of this action,” Kaffenberger wrote.
Alexander said he could not comment on the notice but his attorney, Joe Lambert, called the termination one of the worst decisions he's ever seen made by a public body.
“We don't know what is motivating the city manager but this is not what he says it is. I don't know the politics of Lake Havasu City but we have to look closely at the possibility of malice. From the first it's clear that Kaffenberger is determined to be rid of John, with no respect for due process,” Lambert said.
The release states that Alexander still has the right of appeal, which makes the termination a personnel matter and prevents Kaffenberger for giving a reason for the firing. Lambert said the previously issued notice of intent given to Alexander focused on four situations dating back to 2001 and 2002, which he said have all been shown to prove Alexander's innocence.
Lambert said one of situations involved the arrest of former city Finance Director Mike Ashley on DUI charges.
In 2002 Ashley was incarcerated at the city's Police Facility on a 10-day work release program. An investigation into Ashley's activities found that he was given preferential treatment while incarcerated, allowed to remain in civilian clothing and his wife allowed to bring him food.
Neither is a violation of law nor written departmental policy however one officer was suspended for allowing the preferential treatment to take place.
Lambert said it was that disciplinary action that is one of the reasons for Alexander's termination. “There was a communication that the city manager had with the chief with regard to a reprimand. That reprimand was not to be given without a briefing of the city manager first, which is very unusual but the chief agreed.
“The chief instructed his staff to update the city manager before taking any action, then he (Alexander) went on vacation. When he returned he found the acting chief gave the reprimand without going to the city manager, which he said he did based on letter from Chief Alexander. But we have shown that letter was issued before the new instructions were given,” Lambert said.
Lambert said another situation involves former City Manager Bruce Williams, alleging that Alexander falsified a document to cover for Williams in an unspecified situation. “We proved the letter does exist, we showed them it's still on a hard drive. It was there in 2002 and obviously not something someone tried to create in 2006.”
Ashley has pleaded not guilty to four felony counts of theft, stemming from the use of city-issued credit card for personal purchases four times between May 2002 and January 2003, totaling nearly $10,000. He previously told Today's News-Herald that he admits to using the cards for personal purchases, which he acknowledged was “probably a violation of city policy,” but denied doing anything illegal.
Williams has been indicted on one felony count of theft, allegedly because of a $480 travel voucher. Police reports show that the investigation was initiated at the request of Mayor Harvey Jackson.
Williams was faxed a copy of the indictment May 2 however he has not yet been arraigned on the charges. Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith is prosecuting Both Ashley and Williams and told Today's News-Herald on June 6 that Williams did not yet have an arraignment date scheduled. Ashley's case has been delayed due to his public defender suffering a rare illness that brings on paralysis.
The next step for Alexander is to request an appeals hearing, which Lambert said he hopes will go before an independent party. That hearing must take place before June 23 and Alexander will be asking to have it expedited and held in a public forum.
“There are other claims that are also being considered,” said Lambert. “We're looking at age discrimination, considering what's been in the media maybe defamation, political gain. There could be more.”
Kaffenberger also announced in the release that he has named Capt. Dan Doyle the interim Chief of Police. Doyle had been serving as acting chief following the paid suspension of Alexander and Assistant Chief Randy McCaleb in April. McCaleb announced his retirement May 11.
“As I have stated before, I believe the citizens of Lake Havasu City not only deserve, but should also demand the highest ethical standards from all public service employees and especially from those sworn to uphold the law and protect life and property,” Kaffenberger wrote in the release. “I appreciate the patience and consideration of the entire community while we all work through some challenges that may be difficult, but I believe to be temporary.”
Saturday, June 10, 2006 10:43 PM MDT
In a release issued late Friday evening, Lake Havasu City Manager Richard Kaffenberger announced that Police Chief John Alexander has been fired. No reason for the termination was given but Alexander's attorney said the firing may be politically motivated.
“As of 5 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2006, I formally released John Alexander from his responsibilities as Chief of the Lake Havasu City Police Department, and his employment with the City. Mayor Jackson and our City Council members are informed of this action,” Kaffenberger wrote.
Alexander said he could not comment on the notice but his attorney, Joe Lambert, called the termination one of the worst decisions he's ever seen made by a public body.
“We don't know what is motivating the city manager but this is not what he says it is. I don't know the politics of Lake Havasu City but we have to look closely at the possibility of malice. From the first it's clear that Kaffenberger is determined to be rid of John, with no respect for due process,” Lambert said.
The release states that Alexander still has the right of appeal, which makes the termination a personnel matter and prevents Kaffenberger for giving a reason for the firing. Lambert said the previously issued notice of intent given to Alexander focused on four situations dating back to 2001 and 2002, which he said have all been shown to prove Alexander's innocence.
Lambert said one of situations involved the arrest of former city Finance Director Mike Ashley on DUI charges.
In 2002 Ashley was incarcerated at the city's Police Facility on a 10-day work release program. An investigation into Ashley's activities found that he was given preferential treatment while incarcerated, allowed to remain in civilian clothing and his wife allowed to bring him food.
Neither is a violation of law nor written departmental policy however one officer was suspended for allowing the preferential treatment to take place.
Lambert said it was that disciplinary action that is one of the reasons for Alexander's termination. “There was a communication that the city manager had with the chief with regard to a reprimand. That reprimand was not to be given without a briefing of the city manager first, which is very unusual but the chief agreed.
“The chief instructed his staff to update the city manager before taking any action, then he (Alexander) went on vacation. When he returned he found the acting chief gave the reprimand without going to the city manager, which he said he did based on letter from Chief Alexander. But we have shown that letter was issued before the new instructions were given,” Lambert said.
Lambert said another situation involves former City Manager Bruce Williams, alleging that Alexander falsified a document to cover for Williams in an unspecified situation. “We proved the letter does exist, we showed them it's still on a hard drive. It was there in 2002 and obviously not something someone tried to create in 2006.”
Ashley has pleaded not guilty to four felony counts of theft, stemming from the use of city-issued credit card for personal purchases four times between May 2002 and January 2003, totaling nearly $10,000. He previously told Today's News-Herald that he admits to using the cards for personal purchases, which he acknowledged was “probably a violation of city policy,” but denied doing anything illegal.
Williams has been indicted on one felony count of theft, allegedly because of a $480 travel voucher. Police reports show that the investigation was initiated at the request of Mayor Harvey Jackson.
Williams was faxed a copy of the indictment May 2 however he has not yet been arraigned on the charges. Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith is prosecuting Both Ashley and Williams and told Today's News-Herald on June 6 that Williams did not yet have an arraignment date scheduled. Ashley's case has been delayed due to his public defender suffering a rare illness that brings on paralysis.
The next step for Alexander is to request an appeals hearing, which Lambert said he hopes will go before an independent party. That hearing must take place before June 23 and Alexander will be asking to have it expedited and held in a public forum.
“There are other claims that are also being considered,” said Lambert. “We're looking at age discrimination, considering what's been in the media maybe defamation, political gain. There could be more.”
Kaffenberger also announced in the release that he has named Capt. Dan Doyle the interim Chief of Police. Doyle had been serving as acting chief following the paid suspension of Alexander and Assistant Chief Randy McCaleb in April. McCaleb announced his retirement May 11.
“As I have stated before, I believe the citizens of Lake Havasu City not only deserve, but should also demand the highest ethical standards from all public service employees and especially from those sworn to uphold the law and protect life and property,” Kaffenberger wrote in the release. “I appreciate the patience and consideration of the entire community while we all work through some challenges that may be difficult, but I believe to be temporary.”