Mark Watson
Note: This story was updated at 8:35 p.m. Jan. 31.
Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson on Thursday said he has “absolute confidence†in Police Chief Jim Akagi and has no plans to further investigate concerns raised this week by City Council member Trina Baughn.
Baughn raised concerns about the turnover rate in the Oak Ridge Police Department and claims made in a grievance filed by former officer Chris Bayless. In a Sunday email, Baughn said her calculations showed that the police force had lost 30 members in 3.5 years under Akagi, and that equates to 11.7 per year, or an estimated 15 percent turnover rate.
Baughn said some officers who have resigned felt “forced out,†while others who remain are “just counting the days†until they can leave.
“I believe that our turnover issues are not a reflection on the character of the majority of our men and women in blue; rather they are attributable to leadership,†Baughn said in an email to Watson and carbon-copied to Oak Ridge City Council members and reporters.
Trina Baughn
She said she is ready to help Watson “immediately address these problems and stabilize our police department.â€
But city officials questioned Baughn’s numbers and said they don’t think the turnover rate is significantly out of line with what it has been previously. An average of 7.25 employees per year have left in the last four years due to resignations, retirements, or being asked to leave, Watson said Thursday.
“I don’t think it’s a significant change,†he said.
Watson said police departments can have the second-highest turnover for municipal governments, trailing only the lowest-level jobs.
“You’re always going to have a rate of turnover,†Watson said.
Watson said he has not had concerns about the management of the Oak Ridge Police Department. Many prospective officers want to work in Oak Ridge, Watson said, pointing out that 65 people applied the last time there was an opening.
“Something’s happening right,†the city manager said.
He said the department is more professional than before, security has improved, and employees have new office space while officers have new cars.
“We’ve come a long way,†Watson said.
Watson said no other Council member besides Baughn has expressed concern about the Police Department.
Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch, who was elected in November, said he has talked to thousands of residents during the past six months, and very few mentioned dissatisfaction with the Police Department or with crime.
“Oak Ridgers that I talk to are focused on and concerned about the development of Main Street, the Preschool, the new national park, and funding for the Department of Energy missions in Oak Ridge,†Gooch said. “That’s what I’m focused on.â€
The mayor, who is a member of City Council, said he is always concerned and focused on the well-being and security of Oak Ridge residents.
“I’m going to focus on moving the city forward,†Gooch said. “I’m not going to interject myself, nor do I think it’s appropriate for City Council to interject itself, into personnel matters in the Police Department.â€
Under the Oak Ridge City Charter, City Council members have to deal with personnel matters through the city manager. Watson is the municipal administrator, and he supervises Akagi and other department heads.
Watson said he has not met face-to-face with Baughn, although she is welcome to discuss her concerns with him. Police officers are also welcome to come talk to him, the city manager said. He said he does his own informal “sounding†of city employees to try to learn about any concerns they might have.
Baughn said she would be happy to meet with Watson, although she said previous meetings with the city manager about department heads, including Akagi, haven’t yielded results.
Watson and other city officials expressed concern about the impact the negative publicity this week might have on economic development and projects ranging from the Preschool to Main Street Oak Ridge.
James T. Akagi
The information published this week has included excerpts from a letter from former Oak Ridge Police Chief David Beams that was highly critical of Watson and Akagi, relying in least in part on what Beams has heard from officers and supervisors, and claims by Bayless that, among other things, he was going to be sanctioned with a letter of reprimand and 48-hour suspension only after he submitted his resignation notice this month (it was effective January 23) for an incident that occurred in November. He said he had never had any disciplinary action before then, and he perceived the proposed punishment as an attempt to humiliate him and “diminish my moral character and professional career.â€
Watson overruled that disciplinary decision this month, saying it was time to let the officer move on.
“That thing was handled,†Watson said Thursday. He said he thinks the city needs to avoid having disciplinary issues play out in public because it affects careers, families, and employees.
Bayless, who had other complaints about the chief as well, called for an investigation of the Police Department, claiming that officers are leaving due to Akagi’s lack of leadership skills.
Watson said he doesn’t have any concerns over the chief’s actions, and Akagi is not commenting. The city manager said he has no plans to further investigate the Police Department.
Watson said Akagi, a former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent in Oklahoma, was chosen in May 2011 after a “strong nationwide search†conducted under the “eye of the community†and with public hearings.
Gooch said it’s the responsibility of the city manager and police chief to work out the issues. If they are not resolved to the satisfaction of residents, then Council could take them up, he said.
“In the meantime, we need to focus on promoting Oak Ridge and the issues that I mentioned previously,†Gooch said.
The mayor said crime rates are down, response times have improved, and the people that he’s talked to don’t seem concerned with Police Department operations.
“This issue about the Police Department is not what people are talking to me about,†Gooch said.
Warren L. Gooch
Watson said there is likely a story behind every employee who leaves the Police Department. Some may not meet qualifications, some may retire, some may take other jobs, and some may have spouses who don’t want the stress of not knowing whether their law enforcement husband or wife will return home after each shift, he said.
“That turnover isn’t just all Donald Trump: ‘You’re fired,’†Watson said.
On Friday, Baughn said she has been inundated with phone calls and emails, both anonymous and not, that are sharing more and more information that people want to see addressed. Some of those contacting her are former officers and some are citizens, Baughn said.
“It’s all over the board,†she said.
Baughn, who has previously triggered heated debates on Oak Ridge Schools and the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, said she had hoped the city manager would confirm that he is investigating the concerns that have been raised about the Police Department, including alleged policy violations by the police chief. Among the claims are allegations by Bayless that he caught Akagi on radar driving 88 mph in a 55 mph zone on South Illinois Avenue without his emergency lights on and that he saw the police chief pull his pistol on a compliant unarmed man “over a simple failure to appear warrant.”
“Those things need to be addressed,†Baughn said.
Told that the city manager doesn’t plan further investigation, Baughn responded: “That’s very disappointing. I have even less confidence in the city manager at this point.â€
Update: Read Akagi’s response to Beams’ letter here.
Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Mark Caldwell says
“Watson said no other Council member besides Baughn has expressed concern about the Police Department.”
“Under the Oak Ridge City Charter, City Council members have to deal with personnel matters through the city manager.”
“The mayor said crime rates are down, response times have improved, and the people that he’s talked to don’t seem concerned with Police Department operations.”
_______________________________________________________________
Exactly how can a City Council member be removed from office?
Daniel Manning says
If you are serious then here is the link to the info http://ballotpedia.org/Laws_governing_recall_in_Tennessee
Mark Caldwell says
I believe Angi’s correct. I suppose I’ll take the easier route. Thank you for the link.
Brad Jones says
file an ouster petition with the election commission.
Angi Agle says
The easiest way is Nov. 3, 2016. It’s important to pay attention to who’s running, what they stand for, and get out and vote.
Mark Caldwell says
Your probably right Angi. Just another one year and ten months.
Brad Jones says
Of course Watson won’t discuss further, he and the chief are long time friends.
Mark Caldwell says
Care to elaborate?
Joseph Lee says
Ms. Baughn should resign from City Council effective immediately. Short of that there should be a motion advanced in Council to censure her at their next meeting. I would expect to see a 6/1 vote on that motion. It’s time to pull the plug on the dark light that she has been casting on this city. The good news is that we are in the last half of her last term as an elected official in Oak Ridge, however after her latest stunt that is not enough. Censure Now!
Matt Bailey says
Let me point exactly why I believe Ms. Baughn should be removed from council. In today’s Knoxville News Sentinel on page 5 (five) is a story about the Blount Co. Sheriff’s Dept. that has to do with MURDER. Murder! On page 5. Yet apparently Ms. Baughn’s relationship with Bob Fowler has helped to land this on page 1. Trina Baughn’s efforts to damage the city of Oak Ridge trump a MURDER story. If someone can explain this to me, please do so.
If the teachers are leaving in droves, and the cops are leaving in droves, I would ask this: Would the last person leaving Oak Ridge please turn out the lights and lock the door?
Joseph Lee says
Matt, I can not explain why this story would land on page one of the Sentinel but I do know that when you buy ink in 55 gallon drums you can print whatever you want. What I am sure of is that after the election in November where anyone that had Trina’s fingerprints on them went down in flames, she is in desperate need of a plublicty fix and is enjoying all the attention she has genarated by and for herself. She could care less about the standing of Oak Ridge in the region or facts so long as she can spin and twist them into a story about her.
About the lights, I like it here. I think I’ll stay and keep a light on for you. I want to see how this latest stunt plays out. Thank you.
Matt Bailey says
Thank goodness the good citizens of OR have demanded we keep a strong musical program. The way Trina keeps orchestrating one hoax after another, we’re going to need a new crop of music critics!! Let’s hope that Mayor Gooch takes the appropriate steps to put the skids on this. Perhaps the next step would be to ask the editor of the KNS if he realizes how little credibility his rag has left in the OR city limits. It’s not enough that the KNS slights every OR athletic team it can, it’s permeated over to the front page.
Anne Garcia Garland says
I have to presume that Mr. Watson means no other of the current council members have expressed concerns about the department. While on council, I had a number of occasions in which I expressed these and other concerns about the department. We have many wonderful officers and a few who should probably be pursuing different career options. There are some things Chief Akagi has improved and some others where conditions are worse or no better. I continue to hear complaints about department conditions and procedures. I believe that whenever government refuses to examine citizen concerns in an open and serious manner, that government is neither of nor by nor for the people.
Matt Bailey says
Anne, I say this with all sincerity….a far more professional approach and one that should be met with open arms and minds. It is unfortunate that Trina generates so much animosity in this community. Most of which is certainly self inflicted. You just can’t start a conversation by first dropping a bomb into a crowded room…..every time.
Jose Cruz says
It’s embarrassing how this woman has put us, Oak Ridge, out there. The only thing she has to go on are allegations from a terrible former police Chief, and a police officer who hits people with police cruisers. If other officers have complaints about the Chief and the way he is running the department, then they need to go to the City Manager. So unprofessional.
Matt Bailey says
I can’t say positively, but it would appear that this is another orchestrated effort by Trina. The odd timing of the ex-Chief’s letter (almost immediately) and the other letter lead one to believe, despite their denials, that they are all in cahoots together. Let’s hope not, but it seems to have been bundled well together.
I do wonder if these men realize that in the past, Trina has tried to form a coalition of candidates only to drop one (Andrew Howe) like a hot potato when apparently he decided to step out on his own and make some remarks that she didn’t care for. I share this ONLY because it’s what I HEARD. Now, see how dangerous that can be!! Yet we’ve only HEARD one side of a story (hers) and some or her supporters have the rope thrown over the tree branch waiting for sunrise to hang ’em all.
While I’m not positive, I do seem to recall how enamored she was with Chief Akagi at one time.
I really don’t want this to be accurate, but you just have to wonder if this will turn out to be another case of people fitting her cause, then for whatever reason they apparently fall out of favor and become yesterday’s news.
Melanie Fillauer says
Charlie Hensley, thank you for your leadership! I hope that something will be done by council to stop this elected official from doing anymore damage to a city that many of us love and think is a wonderful place to live.
Mark Caldwell says
I’m seeing a pattern of current and former city council members and retire city employees trying to breed a “culture of terror” in our city. Why would these people issue their complaints to publications instead of speaking to the people with whom they have concerns – particularly the current member of the council.
Bad form.
By the way, thank you Mr. Hensley for your comment.
Matt Bailey says
I’m a little confused. I’m out of town a lot and not positive that this is correct.
Is Myra Mansfield the wife of Jack Mansfield, the author of the letters or emails mentioned above? Is this the same Myra Mansfield who the Clinton Courier described as a vocal supporter of Mayor Frank in Clinton? Thank you.
johnhuotari says
Matt,
Our commenting guidelines do ask those who comment here to stay on topic. I don’t see any clear connection between this story and the relationship you ask about in your question, and I would encourage you to stay on topic, per guideline No. 3 above.
Thank you for your understanding and reading Oak Ridge Today.
John
Matt Bailey says
Hi John:
I appreciate your response. I was actually responding to Mark Caldwell above re: the Mansfield letter. I believe there’s a direct link between the Mansfield’s, Beams, Mayor Frank, Trina, and the majority of her minions. And the new FB page likely validates it. But I think Mr. Hensley is on the right path. Surely all this negativity is affecting your business as well as other business partners in OR.
I’ll try to improve. Hope to see you Monday!