A few weeks ago, APD held its quarterly management meeting bringing together most of the department’s sergeants, lieutenants, and commanders. A speaker presented to the department’s leaders an overview of Stephen Covey’s Speed of Trust. Rather than dwell on the obvious benefits of trust and describe what an institution looks like when it scores high in the “trust” scale, we think it’s more relevant to address reality however sad it may be. Let’s face it, APD and the APOA do not score high at all on the trust scale, but there is something they excel at: distrust. But don’t take our analysis, or that of our dozens of Eyes, for it. Consider the symptoms of an organization swimming in a soup of distrust:
-Missed opportunities
-Defensive actions
-Suspicion
-Swindles
-Complexity and delay
-Manipulation
-CYA
-Disrespect
-Theft
-Deniability
-Obstruction
Has the leadership of APOA or the APD exhibited any of these symptoms? It seems both organizations display many of these defects on a daily basis. Last night the APOA had an “emergency” general membership meeting. Our Eyes tell us almost 100 officers (10% or so of the total membership) showed up to the meeting. Yet despite this turnout, the APOA board missed an opportunity to move forward and show real leadership in confronting the suspicion that over $250,000 in union dues is unaccounted for and swindled away over the last two years. We are told the board tabled desired motions made by members in a defensive effort to delay hard decisions. Did the board respect the desire of members to have an open discussion about their concerns or did they deny meaningful dialogue? Our Eyes tell us that at every opportunity the board obstructed proactive efforts to put to rest the many allegations concerning ex-President Sigala’s spending of union funds and current Treasurer Matt Fisher’s effectiveness in accounting for those expenditures. Did the board hide behind complex procedural devices or did they cherry pick the application as it suited them? The APOA has an interim president who is also a full-time sergeant. Is interim-President Greg Weber truly able to represent the interests of the members while also the supervisor of the incredibly important Crimes Against Children Unit within APD? Our Eyes tell us there are deep concerns about existing conflicts in interest Weber has by the simple fact that he is a department supervisor.
The citizens of Albuquerque rely on the officers to maintain order and enforce laws regardless of circumstances. True justice is indeed blind and there’s an expectation that officers will do what is needed to be done regardless of who’s involved or the particular circumstances. While we know this doesn’t always happen, we want to have faith that the true leaders of APD and the APOA are the rank and file officers and detective who take respond to calls and investigate crimes.
But after the events of the last few weeks, another symptom of distrust seems to be growing: Apathy. If the sworn officers and detectives that make up more than 80% of the APD and APOA are unconcerned about abuse of their own funds and continued deterioration of their own department, what can the citizens really expect out of services from them? If the officers are indifferent to these monumental challenges facing their own organizations, then how will they care about the challenges facing victims of crime? Officers tell us that there is plenty of documentation showing ex-president Sigala and others abused union funds on a regular basis and in the worst of ways. Our legal Eyes also tell us, it does not take the board of a labor union to invite the commencement of a criminal investigation, rather it takes the brave actions of one union member to make a call. We wonder how deep the apathy affecting members of the APOA runs?
Spirited engagement and inspiration will destroys apathy because it satisfies the needs so many are craving: hope. There is no better time for a leader to step up and challenge the status quo than in moments such as these. A blogger recently posted that it is time for somebody to stand in the gap. We couldn’t agree more.
38 comments:
The treasurer should not go down for those two. It's a shame he is caught up in this, but now is the time to speak up about what those two have been doing with the monies that have been coming out of officer's pay checks. Hard earned money. If fifty dollars was taken. That is unacceptable. Think about it. Would The chief let an officer just pay it back and walk away assigned to a special unit? No, they would seek charges like you wouldn't believe, especially now when they are foaming at the mouth for cops to throw under the bus to improve their image.
Fact of the mater is, The chief is harboring two individuals being accused of stealing. Stealing is a crime. The type of stealing that these two former union officials are being accused of is felony embezzlement. If these allegations were flying about a rank and file officer, they would be immediately placed on administrative reassignment pending the outcome of an investigation. This proves these two and the chief are in cahoots with eachother. It is obvious the chief wants to keep these two close to him for a reason. They both know dirt on eachother. The union board needs to come clean here, and divulge full disclosure of the actions of these two, and their ties with the chief. Not only the monies, but the deals made too. Everything needs to come out before it is pulled out which IS going to happen.
This can't be done here. The hammer needs to finally be dropped drastically here. This state is corrupt to the core. The FBI Wshington office needs to be sent the files along with all teh pertinent information needed to pursue this mater swiftly and efficiently. You can not lie in this matter. The records tell the tale. The credit charges are on the bank statements.
If these two stole from officers and their families, they need to go to be prosecuted and they need to be sitting in a prison cell if found guilty.
To everyone involved, you have a choice now. Do the right thing voluntarily, and hope it works out for you, or be forced to do what is right by authorities and have your options whittled down to a plea deal.
APD is the New Orleans PD of the southwest.
APD is the New Orleans PD of the southwest.
I can'tunderstand how you will face gunfire at risk of your life, but when it comes to standing up for yourselves you go the other way. I respect all of you, and I know there is a leader amoung you. You only need one, the others will follow a stong honest leader. Are you that beaten down that you just don't care anymore ? I hope not.
Leave Joey and Flip alone they bought me lots of lunches and dinners at fancy places! Who cares where the funds came from!!!
I believe that the reason the APOA Board stonewalled the members is because most of them took money too. The majority of the Board is involved (christmas bonus money) and they should all be removed. At this point I really don't know who to turn to, to get this investigated. Schultz gave the two ring leaders cushy jobs and not a single one of us that is still working wants to take the chief on. Schultz will find a way to make our life hell. The APOA Board is in cahoots, so they will make sure nothing happens.
Where do we go for a formal investigation? Who will investigate the police? Does anyone really trust the Attorney General.
At the April 2, 2012 City Council meeting is it me, or was CAO Rob Perry telling the City Council and everyone in attendance that night the he speaks for the DOJ or was he foretelling to all: he already knows there will be no DOJ investigation of APD?
The Mayors advasaries to count:
1.) Legacy Church/Steve Smothormon + 20,000 members.
2.) 90% of the COA employees and their families.
3.) Family members of APD shooting incidents.
4.) Opponents of the ABQ The Plan.
5.) APD Officers and their families.
6.) AFD members and their families.
7.) The Bernalillo County Democratic Party.
8.) The voters oppossed to the redistricting plan that favored the Republican City Council.
9.) Members of the NAACP and African Americans.
The re-election of Mayor Berry doesn't look so good. The 4 Hills neighborhood and the far NE Heights will show up and vote for Mayor Berry but the numbers are in any Democrats favor irregardless of any favorable polling numbers.
Will anyone in the news media step up and force an investigation into the missing $250,000 at the APOA? We need the media to push this issue because the earlier poster was correct. Schultz and the Executive Board are trying to bury this and they will hang any officer who publicly comes forward. This is one time where we really need the media to help the good police officers.
Barker, Gadi, somebody are you out there?
To all the candidates that want to test for APD and don't meet the college requirement, ask why the wife of commander Medina gets to.... no standards!
They went after Camacho for bullshit charges. They went after ahrensfield for bullshit charges but didn't go after olivas for the same charges that they went after ahrensfield. Sounds fishy? Now you have sigala and Garcia that should face charges but will they? No. Why? They haven't pissed off the chief like camacho and ahrensfield. Corruption running wild.
Here's one reason to trust the AG: Schultz has been a giant douche bag to him over the LEA board. Schultz and that prick Nate Korn have not won any friends in the AG's office. I'm sure King would love to investigate this issue.
Leave Perry alone. He was Cabinet Sec for Dept of Corrections. If he can manage that corrupt group APD is easy. Berry is doing a good thing leaving him in charge.
AG office is scared. I have wrote them letters regarding the corruption of Shultz and they haven't stepped in or responded.
You all sound like little school girls. "Media please help us" are you kidding me! ... If you think anyone on this board is covering up anything you are not paying attention. If not for people on your board that brought this to light you would still be in the dark! They were the individuals who showed you where to look! Open your eyes! Ask questions to the right people and please stop making yourself and our department look weak with ignorant comments! You want to know what I find to be amusing about all this..... This is one of the most controversial times the APOA has ever been faced with and less than 70 people were there..... out of that 70 were 15 people that always attend. Even after all the facts came out, a whole 70....even after people got involved showed some heart and organized a little. (How's that for apathy Mr. Eye) .........Stay involved pay attention and vote with wisdom.
Ref 4/7 12:45.....are you saying that if that email Mower sent to the board hadn't been leaked this issue would've still been addressed and Joey and Felipe would still would've resigned their positions??? That's total bullshit and you know it. When was the last time ANYBODY in this fuck'n department or union stepped up and took responsibility for screwing up? Never, because people are chickenshit because there is no trust in this place. If Carm has the docs that everybody says she has let's 82 her over to the AG's office and start this shit. That is unless that prick Jerome has already scared her off because he too knows his sweet day shift gig milking breakfast lunch and dinner off downtown merchants will end. And before the chorus of RayRay protectors step up, go read Terysa Welch's lawsuit against pussies. And yeah that includes you too Rosebud!
Why is Commander Mason on light duty. Did she get hurt on duty or off?
Anybody know what Sgt Grover is up to? I saw him at a table with four cops and two suits at Flying Star the other day?
To the APOA Board, if you guys and girls are so commendable then make transparent everything that is going on. Did any of you take a Christmas Bonus? Make it transparent. The audit, make it transparent. The public deserves to know whether or not we can trust our police. I am sure the Eye would post all finding for you without comment. Do you have the courage?
I will reach out to the District Attorney Office this week. I will see if I can ask for an investigation of The A.P.O.A.. I don't know if I have any standing, however, I paid A.P.O.A. dues for 24 plus years. I am still a F.O.P. member who is the parent of the A.P.O.A.. I will also speak to an attorney to see if I have any standing to have a federal investigation of The A.P.O.A.. I am not affraid, never was. I will post what I find out. I don't accuse anyone of wrongdoing at this point.
Heh.....since you paid dues into the general membership fund during the period in question AND you are due compensation if the lawsuit goes in Apoa's favor I can't see how you wouldn't have standing....
Saying that there are some good cops on APD is like saying there were some good Nazi's...anyone who continues to show up to work at APD is embracing the corruption.
Paul Heh, please find something else to do in your retirement. You are no longer a member of the APOA.
The issues of concern are for the current membership and not the citizens. The APOA is a private organization and not a public one such as City Government or APD. Go find tangible dirt on Berry and take that to the DA or Feds.
Mason can't be on light duty she is a salaried empoloyee and at will. Are you sure?
There's nothing light about Mason...
One day you all will retire and look back on this theft and wonder why you failed to anything. Hard to look yourself in the mirror.
I have read this blog for a number of years. I believe that like most orgs APD is made up of men and women that want to do their jobs well and contribute to the bottom line...in this case the law enforcement issues in Albuquerque.
Like Orgs that fail (go bankrupt), leadership brings the org to the brink...not vice versa. Too much has been said regarding the problems of the leadership. This is a small town ultimately and everyone, in the Org knows what is really going on. The continued decision by those in leadership to ignore the problems, which exist within their sphere of influence demonstrate the ultimate problem.
I am sure that by now the Mayor, COO, Chief and all of the Directors of the APD have read much of what has been said for many months and years. The obvious lack of any obvious change can only punctuate the fact that all of those that want real leadership are saying, "There is no real leadship."
If this was a business, heads would roll! The difference is that in Politics, we have to wait and too many have too much to lose. So, the wagons are circled and the majority stay.
Councilors, APD rank and file, and ABQ citizens; begin today to demand responsible and LEGAL actions from those responsible. If you don't you are also to blame!
I'm sorry to break the news folks but it's always been practice that the outgoing President of the association gets to go where they choose. Doesn't matter if it was vacated in disgrace or not. If you don't like that rule go to a meeting some day & make a motion to change that rule. Have a nice day. Vote for change in three weeks, it's your only hope.
The DWI Seizure Unit has been asking for another body for YEARS..... And their requests were ALWAYS DENIED... The answer was nope can't spare anyone, the field needs the bodies... There is a scandel and NOW suddenly a body can be spared for the Unit. That Unit works really hard and I don't see Joey doing much of anything anytime soon except getting several hours of OT a week... I think there is some serious DIRT on the Chief and he has to keep his eyes and ears on those two... Just saying.....
Paul...your quest is not helping anything except your own ego. Lets get real....Federal Investigation? You retired...put that chapter of your life behind you and open a new one.
When the shit hits the fan on a recent incident concerning those two punks and their owner, they will have no choice but to roll on him, their lawyer, and IA. The shit is coming. If they are smart they will start looking for alternate employment, and resign.
Anyone who is a stain on the badge fill face sanctions. Anyone who brings disrepute on the department will face termination.....Really?
Unless you have been making deals behind officers backs with the chief in order to set those officers up for failure. Unless your fall will bring down the rest of them like dominoes.
It is coming like no other.
Good job Paul Heh for doing what cops are supposed to do, report and investigate allegations of criminal wrongdoing. To bad the clown at 9:21 doesn't get it. If that person is a cop then we can all know why APD is in the shape it is in. Go get', Paul!
Those of you who want paul Heh to move on are the same people that lack the courage to do the right thing.
Meaning no disrespect to anyone, but I have been puzzling over this for some time. No matter how far back in the comments you go, "SOMETHING" is ALWAYS coming or going to happen, but "SOMETHING" never comes or happens. WTF?
Rest assured that those respossible for all of this garbage recently will be exposed, and every game they play to avoid that exposure will shed more light on their corruption.
Meaning no disrespect
I totally agree with you. People have been saying that since 2009 when I started reading it. Ray boy is still in charge. Even when they could have gone to the LE Board after the civil rights violation no one did a thing!
It seems the something that is coming is always "something's". Perea is gonna get rehired. Welch just filed the mother of all EEOC lawsuits naming a bunch of lowlifes as defendants....including Schultz, Roseman and others. Even Paiz didn't escape that lawsuit. On Weds 4/11 Rob Perry's weak effort to discredit the hearing officer in Perea's case will fail and yet again the city will lose a major hearing. Doyle and Woolever's hearing can't be too far away and the city will lose those as well....
I hear the sound of a runaway train! Going right off a bridge. Don't worry folks. They are doing it to themselves.
Justice is true and coming right at them.
Mr Wolf for Chief and APOA Pres!
Paul Heh for Chief and APOA Pres!
At least these 2 have the cajones to stand up for what they think is right. The reason some people care even after they leave is that they belief in the mission of APD. Sad most of you don't. You just believe in getting ahead regardless of the cost to your brothers and sisters in blue, and the citizens of Albuquerque. I remember looking up to old time officers. God luck finding any these days.
I was always amazed how APD officers and supervisors tell the public not to lie to them, then lie to one another without giving a damn. With friends and co-workers like that, who needs enemies? What a frickin' circus, with Ray Ray as Grand Master Clown Ringleader!
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