Carrie - I have to tell you I don’t think the chiefs remarks were unforgivable. I think they were inappropriate. Unforgivable leads us to the resignation we witnessed. Inappropriate would suggest a mistake in judgment. The city has lost a valuable asset. As to the appointment made so quickly and so secretly- you are right on the mark!
You are spot on Carrie! I've been paying attention to city politics for years. This was easy to see. Looks like personal agendas are guiding public policy and not what's best for our citizens & our city. Thank you Chief DiPino!
Right on Carrie, as usual. This being Florida, of course I smell a rat. Florida Man is alive and well. Yeah, the Chief made a blunder, then again, it was intended as a joke amongst people she works with. I'm certain that over the years I could be found guilty of such things. At one point I was the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of my unit in the military. The job was ripe for such blunders, but I was honorably discharged. Another time, in my engineering career, I had a staff of technicians I was responsible for, once again, we joked around about many things, but it never made it into company official releases. I think you're onto something, this just doesn't smell right. The Chief's good way outweighed this minor slip-of-the-tongue.
I really believe this was a behind the scenes orchestrated event. When they announced a “No Confidence” vote did Chief De Pino really have a choice? How sad for Newtown. Let’s see how much progress will now take place with ‘policing’ now that she is gone.
On target, Carrie. If is smells like fish.... I too thought Chief DePino’s remark was thoughtless, perhaps playing to the gallery a bit, (who hasnt done that once or twice?). Her general leadeship has been good, although she clearly threatened the Union, (the leader’s comments gave that away clearly), by suggesting stricter discipline. As LEOs have watched their status and respect decline, not just in the minority community, their covering up for abuses, bad behavior, instead of rooting out the bad apples, has been a reason they are not trusted. The best thing they could do for themselves, all LEOs is get rid of bad cops. They will immediately gain respect.
You filled in a few of the missing pieces for me. I also wasn't aware that former Capt. Reisner only had 18 mos. to go before retirement in the drop program. It's all very suspicious and Chief DiPino did a great job in my opinion.
Your take is identical to mine. As soon as I read about a complaint from an officer on the scene, followed immediately by the union piling on, I knew it was orchestrated. What I didn't suspect at the time was that others higher in the organization might have been in on the plan. I agree with the community members who say that a search would have been preferable, even if Rieser were ultimately selected. It's always difficult for a city manager in a crisis to find the right balance between principle and expedience. That's why it's always best to lean strongly toward principle while not taking one's eye off the changing environment. In this situation, some city commissioners were dabbling way too deeply in the situation.
I'm in your camp, as well. As soon as that announcement was made about Chief DiPino's replacement, I felt that there was "something rotten in the state of Denmark." It has all the hallmarks of a backroom deal.
The Chief excelled at "community policing" and I worry that that now become a thing of the past.
Carrie - I have to tell you I don’t think the chiefs remarks were unforgivable. I think they were inappropriate. Unforgivable leads us to the resignation we witnessed. Inappropriate would suggest a mistake in judgment. The city has lost a valuable asset. As to the appointment made so quickly and so secretly- you are right on the mark!
You are spot on Carrie! I've been paying attention to city politics for years. This was easy to see. Looks like personal agendas are guiding public policy and not what's best for our citizens & our city. Thank you Chief DiPino!
Right on Carrie, as usual. This being Florida, of course I smell a rat. Florida Man is alive and well. Yeah, the Chief made a blunder, then again, it was intended as a joke amongst people she works with. I'm certain that over the years I could be found guilty of such things. At one point I was the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of my unit in the military. The job was ripe for such blunders, but I was honorably discharged. Another time, in my engineering career, I had a staff of technicians I was responsible for, once again, we joked around about many things, but it never made it into company official releases. I think you're onto something, this just doesn't smell right. The Chief's good way outweighed this minor slip-of-the-tongue.
I really believe this was a behind the scenes orchestrated event. When they announced a “No Confidence” vote did Chief De Pino really have a choice? How sad for Newtown. Let’s see how much progress will now take place with ‘policing’ now that she is gone.
Great article. Not a bright move when police departments across the US are under scrutiny.
On target, Carrie. If is smells like fish.... I too thought Chief DePino’s remark was thoughtless, perhaps playing to the gallery a bit, (who hasnt done that once or twice?). Her general leadeship has been good, although she clearly threatened the Union, (the leader’s comments gave that away clearly), by suggesting stricter discipline. As LEOs have watched their status and respect decline, not just in the minority community, their covering up for abuses, bad behavior, instead of rooting out the bad apples, has been a reason they are not trusted. The best thing they could do for themselves, all LEOs is get rid of bad cops. They will immediately gain respect.
Very thought provoking article. Carrie you continue to be a strong and outspoken voice for the conscience of our community.
You filled in a few of the missing pieces for me. I also wasn't aware that former Capt. Reisner only had 18 mos. to go before retirement in the drop program. It's all very suspicious and Chief DiPino did a great job in my opinion.
Your take is identical to mine. As soon as I read about a complaint from an officer on the scene, followed immediately by the union piling on, I knew it was orchestrated. What I didn't suspect at the time was that others higher in the organization might have been in on the plan. I agree with the community members who say that a search would have been preferable, even if Rieser were ultimately selected. It's always difficult for a city manager in a crisis to find the right balance between principle and expedience. That's why it's always best to lean strongly toward principle while not taking one's eye off the changing environment. In this situation, some city commissioners were dabbling way too deeply in the situation.
Thanks 🙏 Carrie for finding this venue that allows us to be better informed citizens.
Keep up the great work you do!
You wrote what I was thinking. (Only you had the background of the department, which I did not.)
I am totally in agreement with your article.
Eye opening... and as usual.. we the people are the last ones they think about as they act on their power plays
I'm in your camp, as well. As soon as that announcement was made about Chief DiPino's replacement, I felt that there was "something rotten in the state of Denmark." It has all the hallmarks of a backroom deal.
The Chief excelled at "community policing" and I worry that that now become a thing of the past.
(Isn't it freeing now to be your own editor?) 😊
Olde men with power don’t do well with women of power!
Thank you Carrie for again clarifying issues of vital importance to our community. A very sad state of affairs