Despite 20 year retirement, APD has been struggling with the inability to fully staff the department. They've spent millions on advertising, negotiated a new a contract that focuses on incentivizing new hires, and of course there's the rehire program.
Recently, Officer Patrick decided to apply for that rehire program. Despite a sterling record as an officer, the former Patrolman First Class was denied rehire. According to our Eyes the reason Officer Patrick was given for denial - bankruptcy. It seems the officer fell on some hard times a number of years ago and declared bankruptcy. Of course at the time Patrick was still on the street working as an APD officer.
Financial HistoryAs you can see, a poor financial history can be a reason for denial. What has us concerned is not the policy itself it's the application of the established policy.
An applicant must not have a history or chronic recurring financial problems indicating an unwillingness or inability to live within his/her financial means. An applicant who has filed for bankruptcy will not necessarily disqualify an applicant. An applicant cannot be in collections for $500.00 or more.
A couple of months ago Albuquerque Journal readers were treated to a puff piece about the recent rehire of retired Captain Rob DeBuck (Subscription). DeBuck retired two years ago and like Officer Patrick decided that life without a badge wasn't for him.
“I lost my sense of identity … of who I was,” the 50-year-old DeBuck said. “I felt empty inside.”A love of the job isn't the only thing the two men share. You see... Captain now Officer John Robert DeBuck declared bankruptcy back in 2003 (nmcourts.com). Yet despite his bankruptcy the former Captain was rehired without question.
DeBuck had retired in 2006 after 20 years on the Albuquerque Police Department. When he left, he was a captain and the fifth-highest ranking officer in the department.
In fact, the Captain seems to have had a number of other financial difficulties over the years - at least according to a nmcourts.com search. Understand that the other records could be another John Robert Debuck, but our Eyes tell us that the divorce and the notice of bankruptcy are indeed the former Captain.
We have two officers, both retire after putting in their 20, both decide to return, both have a bankruptcy at about the same time, yet only one is rehired. The only difference seems to be rank at retirement and a personal relationship with Chief Schultz.
Our Eyes tell us that Officer DeBuck is the chief's jogging partner and runs with him on a regular basis. We don't know about you, but it sure looks like the Chief is playing favorites with the rehire program, particularly when Officer DeBuck was given a coveted assignment as a School Resource Officer (read it here).
Look, we don't have a problem with a policy intended to protect the public from officers whose financial difficulties make them vulnerable to financial enticement. However, APD has the obligation to implement policy equitably. Arbitrarily making exceptions for friends leaves the department morally and ethically... bankrupt.
58 comments:
This is one of the most asinine things that I have heard yet from the 5th floor. I've known, and worked with, Dennis for years and I can tell you that he was a great cop! He was always level headed and treated people with respect, even in the face of idiocy and contempt. Don't get me wrong, I like DeBuck also, but this is just stupid. Does the chief's desire for ultimate control know no bounds? Give me a break!
wrong - just plain wrong.
somebody should do something.
To go back to your previous post, do you really believe that cops (and firefighters) would get full retirement after only twenty years on the job without their unions? Those of us who work in non-unionized industries for the most part don't get *any* retirement even if we work for the same company for 50 years.
On this issue, I can see why the policy is in place, although it (at least given what little info you supplied) seems unfair in this circumstance. Cops are probably the most vulnerable to corruption in the entire government, because they hold so much power. Its not a really good idea hire people who've already shown a tendency to live beyond their means - and thus more likely to get that extra money in an extra-legal way. Note: I'm not saying all cops are corrupt, just that cops are in a uniquely corruptible position.
According to your post, DeBuck's bankruptcy was the result of a divorce (which is very common for divorces and does not actually indicate that the bankruptee is living beyond his means.) Do you have any information on the reason for Patrick's bankruptcy?
Nothing against either of these guys, they are both good cops. But apply the rules fairly or change the rules!!! Nothing make a govt. entity look sillier than hypocritical crap like this.
Ray "sellout" Schultz is Rob " I love myself" Debuck's best friend. There should be no surprise that he would be re-hired without question. This is the norm at APD. It's all about who you know and nothing to do with merit. This type of behavior is encouraged at APD and the evidence is the many "backroom" deals that land 34s spots they wouldn't get under fair and unbiased circumstances.
Dennis Patrick was a very good officer and he deserves to be treated with some respect and fairness by our almighty Chief!
I agree, fair treatment for all. Didn't the Journal do a story on a few recruits or laterals who had claimed bankrupty, I think they were from Los Lunas. Just like cheating on ur wife, the 5th floor relishes it, where others feel its inappropriate, depends on who you are.
rotflmao, and this surprises you? Hell, half the dept has some kinda drama behind them, it IS who you blow, and not what you know.
Just another obvious reason, which we all know, but the public doesn't, is that APD is unfair. There it all is, in black and white, articles quoted and we all have access to nmcourts, if anyone needs to verify anything.
APD already looks silly thanks to who is in charge. The department is a joke. All the sleeping around that goes on, all the reports that aren't filed that should have been, the cover ups for the "Mayor". It's a joke.
Maybe TJ can do a full page story about a regular cop and have Schultz explain this!
Since it's from the Eye it must be as accurate as if it came from KOB.
Are you sure there's not something else going on here? For them to hire back DeBuck & not Patrick seems so obviously biased that it begs the question. So perhaps there is something more to it than just the bankruptcy issue.
Before everybody gets excited, I thought this was an excellent editorial:
From POLICEPAY.NET, August 8, 2008, by Ronald J. York (http://www.policepay.net)
The “vote of no confidence” in the chief of police is a favorite fetish of the police union. Just do a search of the internet and you will find that there are many of these straw polls each month – coast-to-coast. Other than the fire department, I do not know of an organization that wants to be in a constant state of coup d'état with the union president leading the revolution. Most of the time it turns out to be a coup de grace for the union leadership not the chief. In our society, the workers do not pick the boss. The only “vote of no confidence” that matters to the chief is one from the mayor.
The chief is the most influential person in determining whether the union is able to advance its agenda. You can either have the chief as an ally or as a terrorist shooting out the tires on your caravan. Once, I was at a union meeting where the topic of conversation quickly switched from upcoming negotiations to the many faults of the chief. Actually, faults are an understatement. After hearing all I could stand, I asked “Guys you can either get the money or get the chief, what do you want?” One guy in the back of the room got up and said “let’s get the chief.”
Occasionally, you will hear about a chief resigning after a rebuke by his officers, but it is rare. Most just dig in their heels and go after their “pound of flesh.” Think of the chief as a hand of cards you receive in poker game. What do you do with a hand that you do not like? Do you kick over the table and start screaming? No, you play the hand as smart as you can. You might even fold and wait for the next hand. I can tell you what kicking over the table gets you. It gets you thrown out of the gambling parlor, where you are no longer a player. Lyndon Baines Johnson once said:
“I might not like what is being decided in that tent, but I would rather be inside the tent influencing the decision, than on the outside looking in.”
If you are not inside the tent, your opinion does not count. I have observed this phenomenon of hatred toward the chief for many years and I have developed some thoughts on why it occurs.
First, the very traits that make a good police officer also make for a bad employee in traditional organizational structures. Police officers are given large amounts of power and authority, including lethal force which is exercised with careful restraint and much diplomacy. The average, non-police officer does not have that kind of restraint and self-control. This system works well for all parties involved, including society as a whole. The problem comes when authority is exercised in the other direction. It is as if the star quarterback has now been moved to linebacker. His job as quarterback has not prepared him for the position of linebacker. The main source of this reverse authority flow, as seen by a police officer, is the chief. Ergo, the chief becomes the favorite target of their displeasure.
Second, most police chiefs are incompetent. That got you going, but let me explain. It is my observation that the chief in most departments is the best and brightest person on the force. Many times, the chief was once the union president or at least a ranking official in the union. Let’s examine the ranks within the police department. The bulk of the force is in the police officer rank. If a person has the prerequisite skills, they can perform well. The next three levels, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain, progressively change with each promotion requiring more leadership skills and less law enforcement skills. Officers who aspire to be promoted seem to understand this and have had role models to guide them. The rank of captain is the highest-level law enforcement position within the department.
When you promote from captain to any rank of chief, you are no longer a police officer. You are now an executive. The traits that made you a good captain, strong leadership skills, are of little use at the executive level. What is now needed is a totally different skill set – management skills. Management controls and directs the organization through its leaders – sergeants, lieutenants, and captains. Being a captain and directing a captain are not the same. Good captains are strong leaders. Unfortunately, they are big pains in the butt. Hey, if you want the good you have to take the bad with it. Many times, the best captain in the department is promoted to chief and immediately flounders. Fortunately, most recover. We provide our chiefs with very little training in management skills – the very thing they need the most.
The last thing that feeds the animosity is a disloyal command staff. Most large cites I go to have one or two deputy chiefs that are unhappy because they were not appointed chief and one or two who are only concerned about politicking for the chief’s job when he retires. The number one job of deputy chiefs is to be loyal to and support the chief. The deputies should shield and protect the chief. Part of the job description for deputy chief is “fall guy.” It is your job to take a bullet for the chief, not because you like the chief, but because it is what is best for the department. The chief should be held in high esteem and treated with respect by everyone in the department, including the deputy chiefs. If you are a chief, do not tolerate a disloyal command staff. Replace them.
If you are a union president, forget about attacking the chief and go after the things that really matter. You do this by moving the focus of your members away from the chief and onto the important issues – compensation and working conditions
I have worked with Dennis and he is a great cop! He wanted to come back and work in the field, not go hide somewhere just for the pay! IN fact, he was willing to take any shift available. The chief did wrong on this one.
I heard that Dennis' bankruptcy was because his then wife got fired from her job, becasue the place she worked at shut down.
The chief is too o proud to say ok, i made judgment, lets try this...
CHIEF COME ON>.... For once, do the right thing.. bring back dennis!
I heard that Dennis even asked for a meeting with the Chief to have a one and the chief refused.... waht a coward.
Yeah, Debuck claims bankruptcy because his wife steals 25K from a school PTA, and hes living with her again....
Dennis gets his act together, owns a house, a car and the chief spits on him
In that case...this government entity is looking very silly....the hypocrisy from the 5th floor is enough to make you nauseous!
How can anyone be surprised by this? APD is all about the "good ol' boy" system. You can be the best officer on the department, but if someone on the 5th floor doesn't like you, you are screwed. I heard they disciplined an officer they didn't like for not issuing a traffic ticket on an accident. If the 5th floor doesn't like you, they will find petty reasons to screw you over. Im so sick of Schultz.
what can we do?
I hope the Union is listening and we don't give any money to Chavez, we have to remember all this stuff and don't let the Union do it, but they do it every election. I agree with the vote of no confidence having no teeth, always have, Schultz doesn't care, who are we kidding.
EX Capt Jim Spain knows how much of a scumbag Debuck and his PTA money laundering is!
Do away with the Rehire program it's scam all the way around. APD got the "BIG" raise they were after now they shouldn't need to rely on retreads to back fill. Guys within APD are hittin' the 20 year mark leaving for 90 days or whatever the sit out time is until they can come back knowing damn well all they want to do is double dip and could care less about being a(n) officer for the citizens of Albuquerque. Once your gone...! BYE... don't let the door hit ya' where the good Lord split ya'!
Ex- Capt Debuck is the one that got Schultz the chief's job. Capt Debuck has always been about himself. Look how he screwed over all his best friends, except schultz. He is just a slimy weasel that can lie and cheat with the best of them. Also, Schultz hired back all his ex Deputy Chief's that were crooks and rapiests. So, Schultz is just as dirty as they are because he knows what they have done. Remember, Schultz was in charge of the Evidence Room when money and drugs started to vanish. Nothing has changed.......
Remember, the Mayor's race is coming up. Vote Marty Chavez out and Schultz and his band of dirty and corrupt cops are out! No other mayor in his right mind will keep Schultz as chief!
Fire Chief Ortega has done well for AFD and the rank and file. He may be a person to look at for Mayor--he is union friendly. I have heard he and some other department heads are upset with the Mayor as well. I've heard this group may be pushing him to consider and he is capable of gathering significant support. APD can't do worse than what we hve now!
how pathetic. the chief preaches about integrity and honesty. what a hypocrite. officer patrick is a great officer. he wanted to come back and continue working, the holier than though chief turned his back on yet another officer that isnt in his circle. at one point do we say enough is enough. so what if a vote of no confidence doesnt mean anything, let the public know. he is running this department to the ground. morale is at an all time low. quality of officers is at an all time low...the chief and his puppy dog calloway preach to everyone how great the department is. NEWS flash to calloway and schultz... car max is hiring, you are real good at selling lemons....
Gotta vote Chavez and Schultz out! Anyone know of a website we could start to work towards removing Chavez?
I like working for A.P.D. quit yer bitchin and take some calls for god's sake. You people are worse than a bunch of old women. Now get to work!
Chief Ray Schultz F*@k over Lt Tate as well. He would not hire the Lt back because the Lt is close friends with Capt Leaper. We all know that Capt(worthless) Debuck and Schultz hate Leaper. Capt Debuck is a cheap ass that never backed his troops. He would come into our briefing and preach his warrior bullshit, but didn't follow his own B.S. We all thought the guy was nuts. Debuck was in it for all he could get, free lunches, young girls, etc. If you were in a bind he would leave you hanging although he said he would help you out. It was all about what was in it for him!
Why do you think everyone transffered out of his command in the Valley. Towards the end of his career none of the officers trusted him! He was two faced!
Lt Tate on the other hand backed his men and was a great LT as well, like Dennis was a great officer. I took a many a call with him.
Sorry Dennis, go to BCSO. Sheriff White treats his officers much better than the 5th floor does.
what a bunch of bunk!!!!!!!
According to NMCOURTS.COM Dennis did not pay his taxes and has an outstanding lien against him? Maybe? Just Maybe? That is why he wasn't hired ????
Or maybe his conviction for running a pyramid scheme????? Do your research boys and girls. Or did you leave that out on purpose?
Not sure who thinks AFD is in any better shape than APD, but I would say they are two peas in the same corrupt pod. There is a very common denominator, Marty Chavez. As long as our leaders are at the mercy of such a worthless Mayor, all city entities will be weak. County has the same problem with their Fire Chief... John Garcia was a union kiss ass that has almost never been on a fire truck. It is sad that he is probably still a better Chief than his predecessor. I guess the bottom line is that I wish we had the ability to vote our public safety leaders into office like the Sheriff, so we didn't have to worry about the mayor being such a clueless leader. (not that I think White is great, I just wish the job wasn't such a political gig) I would like to see the chiefs run their own departments and tell marty to butt out. It won't solve our problems, but it will make an improvement.
We in the Valley all knew him as free lunch ROB! The capt knew every place that would give cops free lunches and he would eat at them every day. I don't think he ever paid for a lunch.
Most of the time the capt was not even around and if he was, it was because there was a young female reporter in his office. Then he would disappear.
He sure knew how to play all sides and was the cause of most rumors and in fighting. He was always fueling the fire to get people fightingor in trouble.
He was always playing both sides, especially in politics. He made sure both candidates liked him, then jump to which ever side won. Jim Baca and Chief Galvin were the perfect example. He back both Baca and Chavez. When Chavez won, he dropped his friend Chief Galvin and Mayor Baca like a hot potato. He played those two side right up to the last second then jumped to Chavez. I wonder what Chavez would think of that. The whole area command knew what he was doing. He also did the same in the last two races Chavez ran in. Debuck in only loyal to himself! He would constantly call or email Mayor Chavez with info on rumors to try to get on his good side and bring himself up. He had alot of people snowed into thinking he was a worker and a good guy. The guy is a master manipulator and is very lazy.
To think they picked this guy over Dennis. What a bunch of shit.
Whoever posted that Chief Ortega has done well for AFD must not work for AFD. The only reason AFD has done reasonably well is because of the union leadership. Ortega only thinks of himself, period! He has very few allies within the department, except his deputies and his many relatives. And the Deputies are just waiting for him to screw up so they can step into his spot.
We have heard that he is upset with the Mayor, because our union has by-passed Ortega and worked out a decent contract without Ortega. Ortega also wanted to retire and wanted the Mayor to hire him back after 90 days so he could double dip, like Chief Schultz. The Mayor said no and Ortega feels betrayed by him.
We did hear the rumor that he would consider running for Mayor if he is sufficiently funded. Ortega also has many, many friends and relatives within the City, so he may have "eyes and ears" within the city to launch an effective campaign.
If APD thinks Ortega will take care of them , you would be sadly mistaken. This guy is no different than Chief Schultz, It's our union that has been there for us.
Rob Debuck should have stayed retired like all the other capts. Couldn't make it in the movies or the private sector so, now he's back. This is a young mans game. Retire again and stay gone old man.
none of you know the real story about dennis so go on to the next subject already
Dennis convicted of running a pyramid scheme? Prove it! There are no convictions listed at NMCOURTS. This is the type of slander that needs to stop.
"beep, beep" hey! what is that noise? its a freakin' call on youre mdt, now get to work you bunch of whiners!
Research? I think you need to do your research. You actually think Dennis was convicted of running a pyramid scheme? Isn't that a fourth degree felony? I think that if he had been convicted of that, he would have been fired long before he ever had the chance to retire.
I don't see anything about taxes, that stuff doesn't come up on court dockets.
Maybe you are someone that works "inside" and is giving confidential information..... Erroneously that is.
FYI dennis has NO liens.. hes paid his taxes... give me a break. the DC told him the only reason chiefy wouldnt hire him is because of his past bankruptcy. (because of his wife losing her job)
as for debuck.. yeah you are golden if you wear a skirt.. shoot nadine learned that one!
Can;t find it on NM Courts, also it is getting a little bit old everyone running off at the mouth about Rob. Not many of you would say it to his face.
you people working at and for the academy need to do some acutal work instead of giving up confidential info to bloggers on the eye and going to lunch for 2 hours and going to school during the day and studying during the day and working out during the day and going to breakfast and screwing off all day long! hey chief, visit your academy and subs some day!
if the chief visited the academy it would be a shocker. of course, hed probably get laid!
HA, no wonder why it's such a popular place to hang out.
is that where everyone goes to get laid or what. that's so sad that this is what is going on with the people who get paid to protect our city and nobody does anything about it and all these people are probably married and are cheating on their spouses and nobody says anything or does anything. doesn't anybody have an dignity or self respect anymore?
Nope!! All liars and crooks, top to bottom!!
that's comforting
Not all of them are. There's a few good one's left.
...let's hope you're right about a few good ones left 'cause this place needs a through and through.
TO: Chief Schultz
RE: Leadership
–noun
1. the position or function of a
leader
2. ability to lead
3. an act or instance of leading;
guidance; direction
4. the leaders of a group
You might try it sometime.
Hell, the chief has his PIO hole, he does not need to go to the academy. Do you really think he keeps her around because she does such a good job as a PIO! Guess agaain????? This girl has a history with high brass!
A few days after my email to Perlman, I learned that APD had setup a new policy for handling CSA/CSO applications. No longer would units contact people and ask them to put in for these part-time positions as they had in the past. This change would require them to apply at the city site for a general position and they would be assigned as needed once hired. Of course once hired, they will place the person where the need is. Anyone who works or has ever worked for APD knows what this really means. It's a way of discouraging those they don't want that are interested in certain positions, and ensuring they can take care of those they want to at the same time. I found it interesting and amusing that I was impacting policy after leaving the department.
I have also heard information that leads me to believe that Dennis Patrick would've most likely been hired if they weren't trying to make it appear that I wasn't being singled out. They know they had no valid reasons to deny me (only personal ones evidently) and if they were going to deny me, they better start denying some others that may have had some blemishes in their background...since they denied me and I have none......even if those blemishes wouldn't have disqualified them prior to me challenging my denials. Because of this , I feel sorry for those like Dennis that have gotten caught up in this charade. As for bankruptcy being an issue, I am aware of both cadets and rehires that have been hired that had them
in the recent past. So, I find it hard to believe that this was the only reason for him being denied.
When I retired, Capt. Sonny Leeper, Lt. Chas Hilger and I got involved in some training consultation services and some business ventures. None of us left APD disgruntled, contrary to what some have said. I enjoyed my time at APD and APD was good to me. There were issues I had involving hiring and training that I was not pleased about, but my decision to retire was based on multiple factors, the majority of which had nothing to do with APD. Those that worked for me and around me (and for Lt. Hilger and Capt. Leeper) at the time I retired know the truth. For some reason, still unknown to me, Chief Schultz has had some issue with us 3 that I have yet to figure out. Maybe he didn't like 3 command level officers leaving the training section within months? Maybe he felt it made him look bad? Who knows and who cares? To me it shows no level of maturity.
I was approached by members of the local Albuquerque Media during the months after my retirement. They were wanting to interview me regarding the hiring process for APD and the quality of candidates being let in. I had no idea who gave them my phone number as I had recently got a new number after turning in my department issued phone. I could tell they were looking for a story and at that time I felt that it was not in my interest nor APD's to go down that path. Any information provided wouldn't serve any useful purpose and any info that shed a bad light on APD would most likely be countered with allegations that I was disgruntled. Several months after retiring, I first learned of the Eye On Albuquerque site after a friend advised me that he overheard someone from APD's 5th Floor discussing the site and claiming that Sonny Leeper, Chas Hilger, and I were somehow involved in running it. This is not true. Over the past year or so, some of my friends at APD still jokingly call me the "EYE" when they see me, and I laugh and play along with them, but I need to set the record straight. I have no idea who runs this site, but I can say that their information usually appears to be fairly accurate. The do have inside sources for sure. The individual postings under the topics is a different story and they can get a little crazy. Trust me when I say that if I ran this site, I would claim it. If I have something to write about, I will put my name on it just like this post. This is the first post I have ever made here and have no problem putting my name on it.
I feel sorry for Dennis because after a career at APD, he deserves to be told the truth from those making the decision. Unfortunately, as I have learned that is not their style.....and it reveals more about them that they realize.
Steve Tate
Retired APD Lt.
My above post was missing the first page------here it is:
After reading and learning about Officer Patrick being turned down as a rehire, I felt the need to write this response as I may have indirectly impacted APD's decision in this matter. I was turned down on two separate occasions for positions as a part-time CSO during the past few months. I feel that my response to being turned down may have caused the department to more heavily scrutinize other rehires and deny them employment in an effort to masquerade their invalid reasons for denying me. Let me start by saying that I was only interested in these specific part-time positions because of the supervisors, the unit, and the ability to work around my current schedule of high school coaching and consultant training work. I was not interested in just coming back to APD in any capacity. Earlier this year I was asked to apply for a part-time CSO position in recruiting and Backgrounds by Sgt. Galindo with the blessing of Capt. Suazo. However, I was informed a week or so after filling out my application that I wouldn't be rehired because I "bumped" people off the list to attend the FBI National Academy and then retired a few months after attending the FBI Academy.
This reasoning given for not hiring me was very puzzling to me as the facts given were not accurate, and I do not understand how I could've ever had any input or power to "bump" people off any list since this decision rested solely with the Chief's Office and the FBI. The true facts are that I wrote a letter to then Chief Gallegos in 2002 requesting to be considered for the FBI Academy should any opportunities become available for lieutenants (as did many other lieutenants and captains). I later learned in December of 2003 that I was on a list and would be attending the FBI Academy in the Spring of 2005 (which I did). My retirement was effective on February 28, 2007. Because of these facts, the reasons given to for me not being hired for the Recruiting position made no sense and was not accurate.
Prior to turning in my first application to Sgt. Galindo, I informed him that due to my previous position as Academy Lieutenant, and my knowledge and involvement in the hiring and training processes, the Chief's Office may not want me conducting and presenting background investigations to the Chief's Selection Panel. Due to my position, I had been involved in Chief's selection processes where I voiced my opinion about the quality of candidates and whether or not they should be seated in academy classes. I also was aware of candidates that were previously denied for various reasons, being hired after my retirement. I told Sgt. Galindo that because of this, the Chief's Office may not feel comfortable having someone with that knowledge presenting candidates to them. After being denied, I felt that the awkwardness of that potential encounter was the likely reason.
I was later contacted in April of this year by Sgt. Ryan, of the Red Light Camera Unit, and asked if I would be interested in working with her. I advised her of my previous application denial and asked her to pursue it up her chain of command for their blessing. Sgt. Ryan advised me that Capt. Hetes approved it and would check with the Chief. However, I was later informed that they would not rehire me. The new reason given for me being turned down was now a simple "no", without any further explanation. The more I thought about this, the more it bothered me. I was being asked to help out units that had positions they needed filled and there was no valid reason to deny me. Based on my previous positions as a lieutenant in the Internal Affairs Unit and at the Police Academy, I was very aware of the hiring process and how backgrounds affected that process. However, there was nothing in my background that should eliminate me from being rehired with the Albuquerque Police Department. I was currently certified through the State through February 28th of 2009. I also knew the department was actively recruiting to reach its goal of 1100 sworn and that the part-time CSA/CSO positions (which are always counted for the numbers) are required to be filled by those already sworn (which I am).
On both occasions of my being asked to apply for these positions, I have had the blessings of the entire chains of command up to and including the Captain / Commander level. However, for some reason, someone in the Chief's Office had a problem with hiring me that appeared to be rooted in something other than my qualifications and background. Because of this, I sent an email to Chief Schultz on May 2, 2008 outlining these same issues I've explained here and asking him if I was being turned down due to any type of personal bias, discrimination, or retaliation, because without a valid explanation for these actions, it certainly appeared that I was not being treated fairly. However, I have never received a response to this date from Chief Schultz. So this wouldn't surprise me a bit if he refused to speak directly with Officer Patrick. After waiting a couple of weeks with no response, I sent an email to CAO Perlman explaining these issues. After receiving Perlman's response, it was clear he had no clue how the hiring process worked, let alone how the part-time CSA/CSO positions were being handled by APD. After explaining it again and clarifying some issues to him in a second email, I never heard from him again.
A few days after my email to Perlman, I learned that APD had setup a new policy for handling CSA/CSO applications. No longer would units contact people and ask them to put in for these part-time positions as they had in the past. This change would require them to apply at the city site for a general position and they would be assigned as needed once hired. Of course once hired, they will place the person where the need is. Anyone who works or has ever worked for APD knows what this really means. It's a way of discouraging those they don't want that are interested in certain positions, and ensuring they can take care of those they want to at the same time. I found it interesting and amusing that I was impacting policy after leaving the department.
I have also heard information that leads me to believe that Dennis Patrick would've most likely been hired if they weren't trying to make it appear that I wasn't being singled out. They know they had no valid reasons to deny me (only personal ones evidently) and if they were going to deny me, they better start denying some others that may have had some blemishes in their background...since they denied me and I have none......even if those blemishes wouldn't have disqualified them prior to me challenging my denials. Because of this , I feel sorry for those like Dennis that have gotten caught up in this charade. As for bankruptcy being an issue, I am aware of both cadets and rehires that have been hired that had them
in the recent past. So, I find it hard to believe that this was the only reason for him being denied.
When I retired, Capt. Sonny Leeper, Lt. Chas Hilger and I got involved in some training consultation services and some business ventures. None of us left APD disgruntled, contrary to what some have said. I enjoyed my time at APD and APD was good to me. There were issues I had involving hiring and training that I was not pleased about, but my decision to retire was based on multiple factors, the majority of which had nothing to do with APD. Those that worked for me and around me (and for Lt. Hilger and Capt. Leeper) at the time I retired know the truth. For some reason, still unknown to me, Chief Schultz has had some issue with us 3 that I have yet to figure out. Maybe he didn't like 3 command level officers leaving the training section within months? Maybe he felt it made him look bad? Who knows and who cares? To me it shows no level of maturity.
I was approached by members of the local Albuquerque Media during the months after my retirement. They were wanting to interview me regarding the hiring process for APD and the quality of candidates being let in. I had no idea who gave them my phone number as I had recently got a new number after turning in my department issued phone. I could tell they were looking for a story and at that time I felt that it was not in my interest nor APD's to go down that path. Any information provided wouldn't serve any useful purpose and any info that shed a bad light on APD would most likely be countered with allegations that I was disgruntled. Several months after retiring, I first learned of the Eye On Albuquerque site after a friend advised me that he overheard someone from APD's 5th Floor discussing the site and claiming that Sonny Leeper, Chas Hilger, and I were somehow involved in running it. This is not true. Over the past year or so, some of my friends at APD still jokingly call me the "EYE" when they see me, and I laugh and play along with them, but I need to set the record straight. I have no idea who runs this site, but I can say that their information usually appears to be fairly accurate. The do have inside sources for sure. The individual postings under the topics is a different story and they can get a little crazy. Trust me when I say that if I ran this site, I would claim it. If I have something to write about, I will put my name on it just like this post. This is the first post I have ever made here and have no problem putting my name on it.
I feel sorry for Dennis because after a career at APD, he deserves to be told the truth from those making the decision. Unfortunately, as I have learned that is not their style.....and it reveals more about them that they realize.
Steve Tate
Retired APD Lt.
Tate's wife did "favors" to get rehired!
The comments are crazy, yes, but they are all true. You can hide behind an anonymous and post and tell the truth. That's why everyone is still in the high positions they are in and that's why APD is so screwed up because nobody (with the exception of Steve Tate) will put their name on the blog and nobody will stand up for what's right.
To get hired back you need to try and be an actor and fail. Then stock books and fail. Then kiss the mayor's A%#. That worked for our former capt.
It's a duck! No, it's just debuck running behind the chief carrying the chief's towel and water bottle!
Doesn't everyone do "favors" in APD? And who did she "favor"? Since you are bold enough to put her name but not the person she favored?
Grow a set and leave the guy's wife out of it...oh I forgot this is APD where pussies reign supreme.
--Retired LAPD
It is a shame that the public has such low regard for APD. Cops used to be looked up to and respected. Unfortunately bankruptcies happen, and they are not necessarily indictitive of a person living outside his means. What concerns me more it that we have officers on our department who have committed crimes. How can the public respect officers who are criminals. APD standards are so low that they keep bad officers and hire worse just to meet the mayor's quota. Ray will never change, he has his almighty power and likes showing it.
That's how dirty APD's 5th floor plays. They will do or say anthing just to get people to look and focus elsewhere! This 5th floor chief and administration is one of the worse that APD has ever had. However, the deputy chiefs are just following the chiefs lead. He is a racist and women hater who is just interested in how much money he can make. He doesn't care about his officer's of the future of the dept.
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