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Saturday, August 23, 2008 6:33 AM CDT
Police union calls for Jennings to go on leave
Heavy rains bring about flood warnings
Lesson learned
West High School names Flodeen new assistant principal
Fundraiser set for area artist, businessman
Police union calls for Jennings to go on leave
DISCLAIMER: The Courier provides our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. For a more in-depth explanation of our policy, please see our Rules of the Road. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
Police union calls for Jennings to go on leave
By ANDREW WIND, Courier Staff Writer
WATERLOO --- The police officer's union is calling for Chief Tom Jennings to be placed on administrative leave during the investigation of his involvement in an alleged assault.
A complaint was lodged following an alleged assault by Jennings Wednesday night, when he was off duty. According to the Waterloo Police Protective Association, the incident involved a 16-year-old assaulted in the 3300 block of West Ridge Drive, the street Jennings lives on. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into the matter.
The association issued a press release Friday suggesting Jennings' status violated department and city policies after Mayor Tim Hurley said the chief will continue on active duty. In an interview later Friday, Hurley said he had a "brief discussion" with the association, but reiterated his position.
"The responsibility for placing Chief Jennings on administrative leave rests solely on the office of the Mayor," said the statement, from the association's executive board. Association membership includes officers at the rank of sergeant and below.
"While the Waterloo Police Protective Association understands that his case is still in the investigative stage, it is our position that Chief Jennings should be placed on administrative leave immediately pending the total resolution of this matter," said the statement.
"I don't agree or disagree at this point," Hurley said, noting he respects the members' opinion. "I'm doing my own assessment of the situation."
He said the matter is under investigation because the city takes the complaint seriously. "And in the meantime, Chief Jennings remains at his post as chief of police."
But the association statement suggests city policies prohibit Jennings from continuing on active duty.
"Mayor Tim Hurley has been informed that the decision not to place Chief Jennings on leave violates the City of Waterloo's policies on handling citizen's complaints of this nature." The statement also calls it department policy and Jennings' past practice "to place employees under investigation on administrative leave pending the resolution of the investigation and subsequent possible charges."
Hurley expressed some uncertainty if there are policies requiring Jennings to go on leave.
"I am looking," he said. "At this point, I can't find one that's appropriate. They did not share one with me. That's a matter for discovery right now."
As far as police department policies, he said, "There have been times when members of the police department have been put on leave. To draw a strict parallel to this and those would be difficult at this point."
The association statement said the department policy and practice is intended "to protect the integrity of the investigation and eliminate any undue influence into the investigation." It continues, "Chief Jennings holds the highest-ranking position within the department and has access to information about the investigation, not to mention by his position alone has influence over subordinates involved in the investigation. Not placing Chief Jennings on leave also implies that he in fact is above the law."
Hurley said, "It's an unfortunate situation all the way around and I think what we all have to keep in focus is due process."
Contact Andrew Wind at (319) 291-1507 or andrew.wind@wcfcourier.com.
A complaint was lodged following an alleged assault by Jennings Wednesday night, when he was off duty. According to the Waterloo Police Protective Association, the incident involved a 16-year-old assaulted in the 3300 block of West Ridge Drive, the street Jennings lives on. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into the matter.
The association issued a press release Friday suggesting Jennings' status violated department and city policies after Mayor Tim Hurley said the chief will continue on active duty. In an interview later Friday, Hurley said he had a "brief discussion" with the association, but reiterated his position.
"The responsibility for placing Chief Jennings on administrative leave rests solely on the office of the Mayor," said the statement, from the association's executive board. Association membership includes officers at the rank of sergeant and below.
"While the Waterloo Police Protective Association understands that his case is still in the investigative stage, it is our position that Chief Jennings should be placed on administrative leave immediately pending the total resolution of this matter," said the statement.
"I don't agree or disagree at this point," Hurley said, noting he respects the members' opinion. "I'm doing my own assessment of the situation."
He said the matter is under investigation because the city takes the complaint seriously. "And in the meantime, Chief Jennings remains at his post as chief of police."
But the association statement suggests city policies prohibit Jennings from continuing on active duty.
"Mayor Tim Hurley has been informed that the decision not to place Chief Jennings on leave violates the City of Waterloo's policies on handling citizen's complaints of this nature." The statement also calls it department policy and Jennings' past practice "to place employees under investigation on administrative leave pending the resolution of the investigation and subsequent possible charges."
Hurley expressed some uncertainty if there are policies requiring Jennings to go on leave.
"I am looking," he said. "At this point, I can't find one that's appropriate. They did not share one with me. That's a matter for discovery right now."
As far as police department policies, he said, "There have been times when members of the police department have been put on leave. To draw a strict parallel to this and those would be difficult at this point."
The association statement said the department policy and practice is intended "to protect the integrity of the investigation and eliminate any undue influence into the investigation." It continues, "Chief Jennings holds the highest-ranking position within the department and has access to information about the investigation, not to mention by his position alone has influence over subordinates involved in the investigation. Not placing Chief Jennings on leave also implies that he in fact is above the law."
Hurley said, "It's an unfortunate situation all the way around and I think what we all have to keep in focus is due process."
Contact Andrew Wind at (319) 291-1507 or andrew.wind@wcfcourier.com.
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Heavy rains bring about flood warningsLesson learnedWest High School names Flodeen new assistant principalFundraiser set for area artist, businessmanPolice union calls for Jennings to go on leave
timbrackett wrote on Aug 23, 2008 3:20 PM:
" a little thing like an owi and alcohol-related accident did not get him suspended, why would an assault charge result in suspension? "
waterlooreader wrote on Aug 23, 2008 10:18 PM:
" I would rather see him on unpaid leave and thinking about what has happened during the incident and his career. "
EdSmith43 wrote on Aug 23, 2008 10:30 PM:
" It's frustrating trying to puzzle what's going on here from the Courier's strangely reticent reporting.
You have plenty of reporters -- why not send one out onto the block to knock on doors and see what witnesses say happened? It's the police chief and all you're doing is reprinting press releases -- you're the local newspaper, you're supposed to have police sources to tell you this kind of stuff "
You have plenty of reporters -- why not send one out onto the block to knock on doors and see what witnesses say happened? It's the police chief and all you're doing is reprinting press releases -- you're the local newspaper, you're supposed to have police sources to tell you this kind of stuff "
ibekickinback wrote on Aug 24, 2008 8:45 AM:
" edsmith makes an interesting point, why is it we have to find out from kcrg that the dci has recommended administrative leave and mayor hurley has choose to disregard them. "
boxergirl wrote on Aug 24, 2008 9:46 AM:
" Because the Courier only prints what it wants to print. Not the whole story. I always thought that a hometown newspaper should cover both sides and be unbiased but that is not the case here. "
think wrote on Aug 24, 2008 11:03 AM:
" There is a reason that the Mayor won't do his job. Come on people you can't not understand it. EdSmith43 you were lucky to even get that posted. The house of cards is ready to fall. KCRG will be on it first. That's sad but they don't call this place little Chicago for grins. "
shirley wrote on Aug 24, 2008 11:19 AM:
" All I have to say is I do not trust Hurley's assessments. Kinda like his assessment of how much money to put into the Waterloo zoo that I am still having a hard time finding! "
FuriousResident wrote on Aug 24, 2008 12:34 PM:
" Ihave had business dealing with both Hurley and Jennings. It is my opinion that they should both be removed from their position.I would support the impeachment of both if it would come to that. I closed my business in Waterloo, and moved it to another city, where there is more fairness and honesty within the local government. It is just a matter of time before I will no longer be a resident in Waterloo. This just may be the straw that broke the camels back for me! "
chatty1 wrote on Aug 24, 2008 12:56 PM:
" Just a sidenote for shirley: The Sunrise Exchange Club Children's Petting Zoo is at the Cattle Congress grounds, right in front of Electric Park Ballroom. You see it from Conger St. "
myvoicecounts wrote on Aug 24, 2008 2:46 PM:
" sounds to me like hurley & jennings are buddies. of course he isn't going to get administrative leave during the investigation. just goes to show you how crooked even local governments are. "
hetfield wrote on Aug 24, 2008 3:03 PM:
" I can smell a giant lawsuit waiting to happen from the 16 yr olds parents. "
slimqnn wrote on Aug 24, 2008 3:47 PM:
" ... I think he's on a power trip and isn't focused on his duties of protecting and serving the Waterloo community. Seems like he and most of the higher-ups in the city government are protecting and serving themselves. "
waterloo wrote on Aug 24, 2008 4:07 PM:
" People have been trying for years to tell you guys how crooked things are around here. Everyone keeps saying we are just making excusses. I assume the 16yr old is white because it seems people will believe him and his parents over someone of color. Im glad it happened to a white kid so people can see and here what the black community has been saying all along. "
waterloo wrote on Aug 24, 2008 4:09 PM:
" How can you get a fair shake when the mayor,chief,and district attorny are all working together. And not in a good way. People please wake up! "
timbrackett wrote on Aug 24, 2008 6:56 PM:
" the courier's (lack of) in-depth reporting on this matter is appalling. "
think wrote on Aug 24, 2008 7:32 PM:
" I got all kinds of grief a few months back for calling for his replacement. They need to really look at open meetings laws. Pot Luck! These people don’t do pot lucks. This is as good as ICE coming in. Stay the course and now your ship is sinking. "
shirley wrote on Aug 24, 2008 9:26 PM:
" Does the petting zoo look like it has $600,000 put into it the past year or so? Cuz I sure can not tell. The mayor also called it the Waterloo zoo, not the Sunrise Exchange Club Children's Petting Zoo. Do you think that $600,000 went to the petting zoo? If it did they must have it stored away in the bank for a special occasion or something.
But of course that is only one of a few reasons I do not trust his assessments! If anyone paid attention around election time everyone would know what kind of crap he got this city into. "
But of course that is only one of a few reasons I do not trust his assessments! If anyone paid attention around election time everyone would know what kind of crap he got this city into. "
think wrote on Aug 25, 2008 8:28 AM:
" shirley,
I know that $600,000.00 is listed in the budget and anyone can get a copy. It's just a numbers game. Why would any City money go to a private business. I have a feeling the Union is going to let it slip why they wanted him out and what happened at 2 AM. I agree it time to recall Hurley. This man has no clue how to run City. Reggie needs to go at the same time since he would take his place and both are John Deere Pal. Reggie even uses his John Deere email to do City business. Check the page. "
I know that $600,000.00 is listed in the budget and anyone can get a copy. It's just a numbers game. Why would any City money go to a private business. I have a feeling the Union is going to let it slip why they wanted him out and what happened at 2 AM. I agree it time to recall Hurley. This man has no clue how to run City. Reggie needs to go at the same time since he would take his place and both are John Deere Pal. Reggie even uses his John Deere email to do City business. Check the page. "
shirley wrote on Aug 25, 2008 2:57 PM:
" Chief Jennings holds the highest-ranking position within the department and has access to information about the investigation, not to mention by his position alone has influence over subordinates involved in the investigation,’’ the police union’s statement said. ‘‘Not placing Chief Jennings on leave also implies that he in fact is above the law.’’
hmmm did hurley assess this statement too? He must not have.
This is just crap- if it was one of us "normal" citizens the story wold have been blown up everywhere. Just since he is the Police Chief does not mean he gets special treatment.
Once again Hurley is NOT listening to the people of Waterloo and what they want! "
hmmm did hurley assess this statement too? He must not have.
This is just crap- if it was one of us "normal" citizens the story wold have been blown up everywhere. Just since he is the Police Chief does not mean he gets special treatment.
Once again Hurley is NOT listening to the people of Waterloo and what they want! "
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DISCLAIMER: The Courier provides our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. For a more in-depth explanation of our policy, please see our Rules of the Road. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
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allen wrote on Aug 23, 2008 11:42 AM: