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Watson has confidence in police chief, no further investigation planned

Posted at 11:47 am January 30, 2015
By John Huotari 21 Comments

Mark Watson

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

Trina Baughn

She said she is ready to help Watson “immediately address these problems and stabilize our police department.”

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. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Chris Bayless, David Beams, grievance, Jim Akagi, Mark Watson, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge City Charter, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Police Department, officers, Police Department, police force, Trina Baughn, turnover, turnover rate, Warren Gooch

More than $11K in damage, stolen currencies reported at golf course

Posted at 9:57 am April 20, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

Centennial Golf Course reported that unknown suspects caused more than $11,000 worth of property damage and stole $5,381 in various currencies from the business sometime between Sunday evening and Monday morning, authorities said.

The golf course is on Centennial Boulevard off Edgemoor Road in east Oak Ridge.

The Oak Ridge Police Department responded at 7:30 a.m. Monday, April 14, Officer Chris Bayless said in a report. The incident was reported to have occurred between 9:30 p.m. Sunday, April 13, and 7:30 a.m. Monday, April 14. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Centennial Golf Course, Chris Bayless, damage, EZ Picker Range Express, Oak Ridge Police Department, stolen currencies

Man reports revolver, cell phone, cash stolen in home invasion

Posted at 9:38 am April 20, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 1 Comment

Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

An East Forest Road man reported an unknown suspect entered his home Monday evening and stole a .38 revolver, a cell phone, and more than $6,000 in cash, authorities said.

The reported home invasion occurred between 4:40 and 5:08 p.m. Monday, Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Chris Bayless said in a report.

The investigation is still ongoing to identify the suspect, Bayless said.

East Florida Road is off Florida Avenue north of Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Filed Under: Oak Ridge, Police and Fire, Top Stories Tagged With: Chris Bayless, East Forest Road, home invasion, Oak Ridge Police Department, revolver

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Classifieds

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

Public notice: Draft environmental assessment for Y-12 Development Organization at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

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