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Guest column: Council member offers summary of events related to ORPD investigation

Posted at 10:48 am May 26, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Guest Columns 37 Comments

Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

By Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn

Given that there is some confusion over recent events, I offer the following summary about where we are, how we got here, and where we are headed with regards to the Oak Ridge Police Department investigation.

The ORPD has seen a total turnover rate of 45 percent in the last four years, having lost 34 of our 76 employees. Five of those individuals have departed in the last four months. Since February, all Council members have received communications from at least seven former officers, three current officers, and countless citizens expressing concerns about leadership and a potentially hostile work environment. Others have communicated anonymously citing similar concerns and attributing their anonymity to fears of retaliation.

On February 9, during a five-hour televised meeting, and in front of the largest audience any of us had ever seen, City Council formally committed to investigate the root causes behind the turnover, morale, and policy issues in the Police Department.

The resolution that was ultimately approved was brought forward by Council member Kelly Callison who stated that “We think that’s a broad, a very broad term that allows an investigator, an independent investigator to look at the issues that might be present…”  At the end of the meeting, councilmember Chuck Hope stated, “The investigation that we’ve come to an agreement among the seven of us was reached unanimously…there’s enough information that it warrants an investigation…”

During this same meeting, Council committed to ensure that the investigation would allow for the anonymity of all participants and would include both current and past employees. Mr. Callison also suggested that council select Municipal Technical Advisory Service, specifically Rex Barton, to perform the work. Council did not select MTAS at the time, but agreed to hold a special meeting to select an entity to conduct the investigation and define its parameters. Information regarding the other resolutions that Council rejected can be found here. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Guest Columns, Opinion Tagged With: Bobby Hill, investigation, Kelly Callison, Margaret Norris, Mark Watson, morale, MTAS, Municipal Technical Advisory Service, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge police chief, Oak Ridge Police Department, order of protection, ORPD, ORPD investigation, policy issues, POST Commission, review, Rex Barton, special meeting, Tennessee Municipal League, TML, Trina Baughn, turnover, turnover rate, Warrant Gooch

Baughn asks for investigation of police chief; Hensley seeks reprimand of Baughn

Posted at 6:48 pm February 3, 2015
By John Huotari 15 Comments

Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

Charlie Hensley

Charlie Hensley

Note: This story was updated at 7:08 p.m.

On one hand is Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn. She’s called for an investigation of the police chief.

On the other is City Council member Charlie Hensley. He wants the seven-member Council to reprimand Baughn.

It’s not clear which side, if either, will prevail during the Monday night meeting of the Oak Ridge City Council.

The two Council members, who have a strained relationship, have dueling resolutions that could be considered on Monday. Either one would require a second from another Council member to be discussed and four votes to be approved.

Both resolutions follow more than one week of accusations and allegations that have roiled and divided the community. They have focused, in particular, on the management of the Oak Ridge Police Department by Chief Jim Akagi and raised questions about the turnover rate and whether it is high. Some of the most blistering criticisms have come from former Oak Ridge Police Chief David Beams, who said he still visits the city. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Government, Meetings and Events, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Blount County Circuit Court, Board of Education, Bobby Hill, Charlie Hensley, Christopher Bayless, City Council, David Beams, investigation, Jack Mansfield, Jim Akagi, Ken Krushenski, Mark Watson, Oak Ridge City Charter, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Police Department, order of protection, police chief, rebuke, recruiting firm, reprimand, resolution, Trina Baughn

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