Police Officers Association: Secret Retirements Have Damaged Morale, Trust
Dear Editor,
Almost daily, the members of the Gilroy Police Officers Association are questioned concerning the recent news articles regarding the unannounced retirements of our chief and assistant chief. As a result, it appears necessary that we issue a statement documenting our thoughts and opinions.
Prior to composing this statement, the Executive Board wanted to ensure that the views reflected a majority of our members. As a result, the general membership met to discuss the issue on March 5, 2007 and by an extreme majority, the Executive Board was directed to issue the following statement:
“The members of the Gilroy Police Officers Association are disappointed with the course of action taken by Chief Giusiana and Assistant Chief Brown in withholding the announcement of their retirement. Their actions show a lack of trust in the employees of the Police Department and is contrary to the stated core values for this department.
These core values include respect, integrity and accountability. These values are posted and defined throughout the halls of the Department, and they should be held in high regard by every member of this agency. It is noted that a police agency can only exist in an environment of truth and trust. Chief Giusiana and Assistant Chief Brown have eroded that trust and damaged the morale of the Department. Moreover, we find that this decision was made of design and not by mistake or miscalculation, and it is this fact that is the most troublesome.”
Gilroy Police Officers Association,
James Callahan, president
Who Runs the City? It Sure Doesn’t Appear to Be the Elected City Council
Dear Editor,
This letter is in regards to the article in the Gilroy Dispatch on Wednesday, March 14, on comments made by the Gilroy Police Officers Association and the city of Gilroy’s leader Mayor Al Pinheiro.
As for Mayor Pinheiro comments, that the City Council runs the city. I would respond by saying, “Oh really?” Because in light of what has taken place it doesn’t appear that they do. In fact the Council was thought so little of that they weren’t included. They were left out and obviously, no one, and I mean no one worried about the ramifications of not including the Council.
You guys better toughen up and let people know you really do run the city.
I think the GPOA states their position very well. They are and should be concerned about the way this whole thing was handled. As should the citizens of Gilroy. As has been asked before: How many other back room deals have been done?
Ray Hansell, Gilroy
