GSO Council backs Mitch Johnson in Wray case...says Wray done wrong and had to go...

news release from City of Greensboro                                                                                                 

                                                            

STATEMENT BY CITY COUNCIL REGARDING

CURRENT ISSUES IN POLICE DEPARTMENT

GREENSBORO, NC (January 25, 2006) - After conferring with all members of City Council, Mayor Keith Holliday issued the following joint statement on Council’s behalf regarding current high profile issues in the Police Department.

• First, we wish to assure the public that City Manager Mitchell Johnson has kept this Council fully and promptly informed of all actions and issues regarding the Police Department. As your elected representatives, we commit to closely observing the issues and are working with the Manager and staff to maintain or rebuild any damaged community trust.

• Second, we believe strongly that all municipal employees are accountable to the residents of this community, and we expect leaders of City departments to be fully truthful and forthcoming in all of their responsibilities.

• Third, we believe that established policies and procedures must be followed, or the reason why they are not followed must be explained. 

The decision of the Manager to review concerns raised by credible inside and outside individuals, and to take action based on those reviews, is consistent with our mandate that all City employees and all residents be treated with dignity and respect without regard to race, gender, or personal relationships. 

It is now clear that Chief Wray chose to withhold critical information from his superiors and City Council.  For this reason alone, we believe the Manager’s actions are fully justified.  It appears there are other problems, as well.  Interim Chief Bellamy has now confirmed that there is a basis for allegations of a) bias in personnel actions, b) violation of policies and procedures, and c) a climate of intimidation.  He has begun a formal investigation to determine whether additional personnel or other administrative actions are warranted.   This may take upwards of two months to complete.

We are confident that the men and women of the Police Department will cooperate with this investigation.  We ask the media and the residents of Greensboro to allow Chief Bellamy and his staff to complete their work before making further judgments or assumptions. 

Our officers policed themselves and identified these problems.  We responded quickly and as transparently as possible given our laws.  Whatever problems we eventually uncover, whether racial or managerial or both, will be dealt with honestly and decisively.

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