Note: This story was last updated at 9:58 a.m. May 22.
The Oak Ridge City Council on Thursday approved a review of turnover and morale in the Oak Ridge Police Department that could cost close to $23,000 and not be complete until October.
The review by the Municipal Technical Advisory Service at the University of Tennessee could include interviews with about 125 people, including roughly 76 current ORPD employees as well as several dozen former workers who have left in the roughly four years since Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi started.
The review, which will also study administrative policies, was initially expected to be free, last 30 days, and use interviews with a random pool of workers. But the City Council expanded the scope of the inquiry during a special meeting in April, and MTAS said it would now have to charge $50 per hour for the work.
Each of the MTAS interviews could take about one hour, city officials said during a special Oak Ridge City Council meeting on Thursday.
Council members approved the proposed new agreement with MTAS in a 4-3 vote. Voting for it were Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch, Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Smith, and Council members Kelly Callison and Charlie Hensley. Voting against it were Council members Trina Baughn, Rick Chinn, and Chuck Hope.
Chinn said he thought the city ought to solicit requests for proposals, or RFPs, from firms or individuals willing to conduct the review or investigation. Chinn said the city had received one proposal for $6,000, and he thinks the city ought to be able to finish the inquiry before October.
Baughn continued to insist that MTAS has a conflict of interest. She said that MTAS is a subsidiary of the Tennessee Municipal League and is not qualified, although Gooch disputed her claim that MTAS is a subsidiary of TML.
Smith said she had serious reservations about the agreement approved by Council on Thursday, but she suggested that putting out an RFP might not proceed any quicker than the MTAS review.
“We’d be lucky to get done by October,” Smith said. “If we can’t expedite this, I don’t think we should be doing this at all.”
MTAS will still have to agree to the new proposal approved by City Council on Thursday.
The previous agreement for a more limited review using a random pool of interviews with current workers expired May 9, and MTAS said it has spent about 60 hours on the project so far.
Before voting on the proposed new agreement, Council agreed to designate Oak Ridge Personnel Director Penny Sissom as the point of contact for MTAS and have her schedule interviews based on the availability of MTAS consultants. That amendment, proposed by Gooch, passed 5-2, with Baughn and Chinn voting “no.” The move, which would not ask MTAS to set up the interviews, is expected to save about $3,500, knocking down the cost of the work from an estimated $26,200 to $22,700.
Council also approved a second amendment that would have MTAS start the interviews using a random pool of 20 current and former employees before moving on to the remaining current and former workers. MTAS has said it prefers to use a random pool. That motion, also proposed by Gooch, passed 4-3, with Gooch, Smith, Callison, and Hensley voting “yes,” and Baughn, Chinn, and Hope voting “no.”
Council rejected a proposal to have MTAS give an interim report after the random interviews.
Smith, who requested that report, said it wasn’t fair to the city staff, the community, and others to “leave this hanging” until October. She said she would like to see some information before Halloween.
“We’ve kind of left our city manager and our police chief in limbo,” Smith said.
Baughn objected to the proposed preliminary report, saying that seeing it would be “kind of like cheating on a test.” Council could be setting itself up to “feed into the propaganda machine that’s already been set up,” Baughn said.
The interim report was rejected 3-4, with Callison, Hensley, and Smith voting “yes,†and the other four voting “no.” That means City Council might not hear anything until the review is complete, possibly this fall.
Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said the money for the review will have to come from the mayor and City Council’s budget in the current fiscal year, although there’s currently no money available. But he said city officials will accommodate the unanticipated expense.
Some continued to object to the inquiry, which started after Baughn in late January raised concerns over what she suggested is a high turnover rate in the ORPD and expressed concern about the allegations and claims included in a personnel grievance filed by former officer Chris Bayless, among other issues. Baughn said the chief had retaliated against Bayless, although the city manager rescinded the punishment.
Baughn has called for an investigation of the police chief on a range of issues, including his hiring in Oak Ridge four years ago, claims that he is vindictive, and a question about whether he violated a temporary order of protection issued in Blount County at the request of Akagi’s ex-wife in April 2012 and dismissed in June 2013. But the City Council has rejected her proposals, which have also been based on letters to the editor by former Police Chief David Beams and Lieutenant Jack Mansfield, and an email writer using the pseudonym “Bobby Hill.”
There continues to be debate about whether the current turnover rate is higher than it has been historically, and some residents have proposed that City Council drop the inquiry and move on to other “more important business.” Among the other projects in the works are Main Street Oak Ridge (the redevelopment of the former Oak Ridge Mall) and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park.
Oak Ridge developer and businessman Len Hart, who said there has been a great improvement in the Police Department in the past three to four years, said he objected to spending taxpayer money on a “witch hunt” because of a few disgruntled Police Department employees. Hart said he was disappointed in the Council’s actions and the allegations that are “dragging the city down.”
He said Oak Ridge is on the verge of a big turnaround and suggested that some of the ORPD complaints came from “deadbeats” and those who are jealous because they didn’t get offered promotions.
“There are some folks who don’t like change,” Hart said. “That’s just the way it is.”
But Baughn said some significant issues have been raised.
“We’ve had many, many serious concerns shared with us,” she said.
Oak Ridge resident Myra Mansfield objected to the idea that officers have been critical of the police chief because they hadn’t received promotions. Her husband, former Lieutenant Jack Mansfield, who retired in October 2011, has been among the chief’s critics.
Resident Mike Mahathy objected to Baughn’s citing of anonymous emails in her calls for an investigation of the police chief. Anyone can send an anonymous email, Mahathy said. Much time and money has been spent on the inquiry and reputations are “down the drain,” all over anonymous emails, he said.
But Baughn said the inquiry didn’t start with anonymous emails. Instead, she said, it started with Bayless’ grievance. She cited the 34 officers who have left in the past four years or so, including two in the past two weeks.
It’s not clear if Bayless agrees with Baughn’s use of his grievance in her calls for an investigation. A few current officers have said the former ORPD officer is keeping a low profile because he now works for another government agency.
Among those supporting Baughn’s call for an investigation are former City Council member Anne Garcia Garland. Supporters have said a review is more benign than an investigation.
Hensley asked how much municipal staff time has been spent on the Police Department review during the past few months responding to legal questions and open records requests, among other duties.
“I shudder to think how much money has been spent by our city staff,” Hensley said.
Watson didn’t have a specific number of hours spent, but he said the staff time spent on the inquiry has grown and the review hasn’t even started yet.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Joseph Lee says
So, we can go back to work now, right?
johnhuotari says
I was curious about what our readers think might have been the best direction to take, so I added a poll to this story. Please see above.
Mark Caldwell says
Thanks for the poll John. I realize that it is non-scientific, but the results may be interesting.
johnhuotari says
You’re welcome. Yes, our polls are non-scientific. Here is a modified version of a disclaimer the Washington Post puts on its polls that I might put on our polls: This is a non-scientific user poll. Results are not statistically valid and cannot be assumed to reflect the views of Oak Ridge Today readers as a group or the general population.
Matt Bailey says
The fatigue factor, combined with John’s excellent reporting on the similarities of turnover rates in the ORPD, have made this whole issue a non-factor in our daily lives. Witness the same old tired bodies showing up at council meetings (yep, including me). Ever since the “school issues” were swatted away, the turnover rate claims were proven false, and the OOP has basically been resolved, it would appear the citizens have moved on. Even the KNS article on last night’s meeting has been removed from their site, in less than 15 hours!!
With summer upon us, the naysayers are going to have to work long and hard to develop a new “issue” to entertain the media and get the TV stations back in their vans to run to OR. The recent BOE meeting re: the budget drew three people (3). It would appear certain council members may have cried wolf a few too many times, huh?
Sam Hopwood says
The liberal Democrats, who now control council, seem to fret about the cost that has already been spent to investigate our world class chief (Hensley) and the time before the results are in (Smith) and then still vote to spend lots more money on it. Makes perfect sense to me. Now lets press on and get those city property taxes raised. This is going to be a fun summer.
Joseph Lee says
Sam, I agree. This is going to be a fun summer. I’m going to spend my summer looking for Bobby Hill. Tell me Sam. Where’s Bobby?
Sam Hopwood says
Word on the street is that he is in Farragut waiting for you to join him. When should I bring the moving van by to start you on your way? Farragut is calling you.
Joseph Lee says
Word on the street is she is in Oak Ridge and is a player in all this mess.
Have a great weekend Sam and let’s also agree to honor those that have served, given their lives and provided us the freedom to disagree. Thank you.
Mike Mahathy says
God bless those “liberal Democrats” who stand for fairness and who are seeking truth!
Jack Mansfield says
I looked into the room labeled “liberal Democrats seeking the truth” and it was bare bones empty from wall to wall and floor to ceiling.
Joseph Lee says
Say Jack, Where’s Bobby? Do tell.
Jack Mansfield says
Joseph, your input in this matter is equivalent to a gnat buzzing around the room.
Joseph Lee says
Jack, you need four votes man. You do not have them. This ain’t beanbag.
Your input in this matter is suspect. It’s my city too. Where’s Bobbi. Do tell.
Matt Bailey says
Morning, Jack. I’m a registered Republican. It’s not a “party” thing. It’s common sense. Anne Garland, above, points out that Chief Akagi inherited a bad situation. Her cohort, Ms. Baughn, keeps trying to blame Akagi. You just can’t have it both ways. The 10-15 of us can continue to battle this any way you want. I’m betting the majority of citizens are tired of this, have seen thru the Trina circus, and want to go on living their lives without all the negativity Ms. Baughn keeps trying to inflict on us – and, of course, keep her name in the media. She hasn’t been on WATE in weeks – that must be painful.
We all support a review or investigation. It’s costing money because MTAS made a mistake. And because a couple of council men apparently can’t stand up to Trina. But it’s $50.00 an hour. My plumber charges more than that! (And he’s a great guy).
Let’s be honest….a certain few citizens won’t like the result, no matter how it turns out. But using an ex-cop out of Florida, or a private investigator out of Rockwood ain’t the answer. Since most of what Ms. Baughn spouts turns out to be poorly researched, let’s save the money and drop all this nonsense. Or we could just use the PBA’s results – their “investigation” should lead to great comedy. Maybe THEY can get Bobby Hill to come forward.
Jack Mansfield says
For the life of me I can not understand why everyone just wants to “drop it”/sweep it under the rug. If any of you who just love Chief Akagi were to work for him and personally observe his outrageous behavior you would sing a different tune. To abandon this issue is to abandon those who suffer in this situation. Those who can’t do anything about this continue to vote with their feet and will continue to do so because they do have a say, which is enough with this and I’m out of here. Pretty soon Chief Akagi will be answering the phone, then dispatch himself on the call, and then botch it because quite frankly he couldn’t do an patrolman’s job, much less that of a Sergeant, Lieutenant, or a Captain.
As for Bobby Hill, I have no idea who he is but he is understandably keeping his identity anonymous for fear of retaliation which is a genuine fear which is proven out by Chief Akagi’s behavior concerning officer Bayless.
Matt Bailey says
Jack I’ve stated on numerous occasions to run with the review. I was under the impression you didn’t work long for this chief. Anne wasn’t happy with beams, you guys aren’t happy with akagi, ms baughn ain’t happy with anybody who breathes.
Likely this chief has some things he could do better. Don’t we all? Again, I doubt ALL who left were unhappy. Some probably needed to go. It’s that way everywhere in the world.
I’m surprised that Bayless keeps popping up. After Trina saw the video she became strangely silent about him. Your main problem here is simply this: the perception is that your bell cow, ms baughn, hates everyone and everything about this city. And when she carries me chinn and mr hope along for the ride, it taints their image.
Jack Mansfield says
I didn’t work long for Akagi, 3 1/2 months to be exact. I was looking for the new Chief to come in, evaluate where we were, supply a little water and miracle grow and get us moving forward in a positive manner. I had planned to stay another 2 years to help this along and help the new chief settle in. It quickly became apparent that Akagi wanted to demonstrate in a heavy handed way that he was going to change things in a haphazard way just to change things, things that didn’t need to be changed. He immediately changed our work schedule that was really a great work schedule. It was one of the main things that attracted new employees and that everyone liked. Now that he suddenly hit the troubled water, the first thing he did was go back to that schedule that he said he would never do to try to appease everyone who is upset with him and his malicious behavior.
Chief Beams was not perfect, no one is. I had my issues with him, but one thing for sure was that he was never malicious.
To say the least, I was very disappointed in just about everything Akagi was doing. He didn’t respect anyone here and showed little value for input we might offer. For example, before he arrived we received a memo that each employee was to prepare a bio of our work experience, skills, and training, etc, and this was to be done prior to his arrival here on Jul 1. When I retired on Oct 15, 2011 he had not read this material and was moving people around and making employee assignment changes without knowing anything about them, making all that we did to supply him this requested information meaningless.
On a positive note, Chief Akagi’s changes to the building and parking lot security was a good thing. Also the realignment to the zones recommended by the Lieutenant’s was accepted and put into place.
So not everything was bad. It is the treatment of employees without respect and the outbursts of anger with foul language that is not acceptable and contributes to an atmosphere that is hostile and highly undesirable.
Mike Mahathy says
I do believe you were a great officer Jack though I did not you. Thank you for your many years of service. I am sure it is not easy being a police officer.
Matt Bailey says
Thank you for that info. Thank you for your years of service. Having worked for some similar bosses I understand your frustration. None of this sounds like a fireable offense(s) and I hope it’s not. Until we hear the chiefs side I suppose we sit and wait. Younderstand the other side of this, I’m sure. A coordinated attack using questionable anonymous emails plus a supposed “non requested” email from the former chief who said he’d not been following the situation. Then Trina calls the media about the oop which turns out to be nothing. Add in a fiasco about the turnover rate and we are spending 20k on yet another witch hunt.
Sam Hopwood says
Well Matt, we are spending $22K on – as you put it – a witch hunt that your four favorite members of council voted FOR and three members, including Trina, voted AGAINST. What IS YOUR BEEF??…. Other than you and Farragut Joe have a long standing vendetta against her. It’s unhealthy old boy, just like threatening the school board is unhealthy. You and Joe should come out from under that rock and enjoy the sunshine. It’s really a pretty decent world out in the daylight. Have a great holiday!!
Matt Bailey says
Oh Sam u can do better. As a student at orhs I didn’t learn much but I did learn to think for myself. If there had to be a review, go with someone qualified. Your girl wants an Atlanta group that hunts down late child support payers. Others want a private dick out of rock wood. Some want the PBa. Personally, I don’t like bad teammates, publicity hounds, and those who make crap up. She fits all three. Thanks- having a great day here. Hope you are.
Mike Mahathy says
I’m a conservative Republican and some of the things I’ve read online by so-called conservatives and some that I know are Christians make me sad.
Matt Bailey says
I agree Sam! We should drop the investigation entirely. You’re on to something there! Save the money since most of council woman’s Baughn’s claims have been entirely false. Let’s quit pandering to her. Mike Mahathy believes we ought to give the Chief a raise. With the kind of results we’ve seen in the crime rates, Mike may well be right!
Jeanne Hicks Powers says
So, can you all just get OR to the point that we can sell our home at a decent price in the next 2 years to max 3 years so we can retire away from here? All your efforts towards making a place that people want to move to are greatly appreciated!
Mike Mahathy says
Thankfully at least four of city council is trying though getting the review finished sooner would have been better. I will support whatever the findings are. I hope most do.
Anne Garcia Garland says
How is $22,700 a lot money compared to a quarter million to improve a football parking lot? Or $281,000 (per city finance director) for bathrooms at the marina? Our police officers are in disarray and don’t know whether to “shit or go blind” as my Texas friends would say and people think responding to their concerns is a bother? I asked the city manager to look at this before Akagi came and then we got Akagi and I asked both him and the city manager to look at the situation. I got told I should “go to the FBI.” I did. I took an officer with me who had moved on to another department. I got the brush-off from the regional director Lambert only to find out later that Lambert was “friends” with Akagi. And now we have a management model which apparently thinks abusive behavior is appropriate. People who think things are fine or better aren’t talking to the half of Oak Ridge who think things are not better or even worse. I am a huge supporter of police officers. I honor and value their service and dedication. And I am seriously tired of people who think that head-in-the-sand makes everything better. Support your local police! Speak up for a real investigation.
Mark Caldwell says
Anne says: “Our police officers are in disarray and don’t know whether to “shit or go blind”…”
Wow Anne, what a mouthful. Got even a little proof that all or most of Oak Ridge’s police officers feel this way? I’d wager that most of us are tired of people making things up.
Matt Bailey says
Anne, do I understand this correctly? You’re saying you asked Mr. Watson to look at this situation prior to Mr. Akagi coming on board? Doesn’t that mean there was a problem under Mr. Beams? The same Mr. Beams who some have portrayed as “the great one”? The same Mr. Beams who wrote the letter criticizing Mr. Akagi? Ummm….was “Bobby Hill” aware of this? How about the Baughnfield group? (Baughn + Mansfield’s).
And you’re saying we “now have a management model” problem? Yet, you identified this long before Mr. Akagi arrived? Everyone I know supports the police. No one’s got their head in the sand, we’re just looking at crime stats and wondering how things could be construed as worse, as you state.
Are you surprised that Mr. Lambert and Mr. Akagi are “friends”? Aren’t most lawyers friends with other lawyers? How about doctors? Perhaps mechanics? People in similar fields normally know each other. Perhaps Mr. Lambert was as confused as I am. Some of your friends have been acting like Mr. Akagi brought unprecedented bad behavior to the job. Your comments lead me to believe that perhaps Mr. Beams was as bad, if not worse. I haven’t seen anyone complain about responding to concerns. What I see is a complete fabrication by the Baughnfield’s regarding turnover rates, OOP violations, etc. If the foundation of their arguments have been shaken (and they have) why would we believe anything else they allege?
Joe Lee, you’re right. Thanks to all who served to give us what we take for granted daily.
Mark Caldwell says
Ok, let me get this straight. Some council members want to investigate the OR Police Department, specifically the Chief. Another council person finds an organization to conduct the review gratis. The original council members don’t like the way the organization will conduct the review, necessitating added cost, yet they vote against the additional cost.
Let’s just get this review completed, mock those who caused and perpetuated this, and go on our way to help the city we live in.
Joseph Lee says
Thanks Mark.
Trina Baughn says
It’s a little more complicated than that, Mark. http://oakridgetoday.com/2015/05/26/guest-column-council-member-offers-summary-of-events-related-to-orpd-investigation/
Mark Caldwell says
Yes Trina, it is much more complicated than the summary I presented. Some council members wanted the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) to investigated. Others though PBA might be biased because that union represents police officers and is supported by police officers’ dues. MTAS appears to be the best choice of having a neutral party look into this matter.
Whether called an “investigation” or a “review,” it does not matter to me. Let’s get this completed and work on other concerns Oak Ridge faces.
Thank you Trina for responding to my comment. It is admirable that elected city officials, such as you, will engage with citizens in a public forum outside of the council meetings. And I apologize for writing that anyone should mock anyone else about anything. Bad form on my part.
Trina Baughn says
No worries, Mark; but I do appreciate the apology.
Joseph Lee says
Ms. Baughn, I would appreciate an apology from you for all the phony issues you have promoted and the all the mud you have slung around this town. If you are not going to focus on real issues then just do us all a favor and resign. Please do it today. Thanks.