Mayor To Aldermen: Forego Police Probe

3-05-10

Affirming his predecessor’s conclusion, Mayor Dick Miller has concluded no further investigation is warranted into the resignation of three police officers under a cloud in recent months.
The mayor made that recommendation to Common Council Tuesday, March 2, at the same time alerting them that one of the officers, Sgt. Andrew Thomas, has had a change of heart and is claiming he was wrongfully discharged from the department.
A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for April 9.
“Given the tasks (the Oneonta Police Department) confronts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, I view a further investigation as demoralizing and disruptive, and accordingly, counter productive,” Miller told the aldermen.
At the time the matter became public, former Mayor John S. Nader consulted with the state Attorney General’s office, then involved the Otsego and Delaware county district attorneys in separate reviews.
Miller said he, Police Chief Joseph Redmond and any council members who wished to do so reviewed the report, and concluded “there was no criminal content to the incidents.”
“Is it likely that other members of the department not in the position of responsibility knew of the behavior?   One can speculate,” the mayor continued.  “Based upon the professional repercussions for the three individuals, the personal humiliation, as well as economic consequences that goes along with that, is it likely that this kind of behavior would happen again? 
“In my judgment, probably not. 
“Additionally, the chief has taken what measures he can within the context of labor agreements with the Police union to rotate staffing assignments.”
He said Redmond planned to report to the council’s Public Safety Committee Friday, March 6, “on changes made, and contemplated, and the status of other related activities.”
The mayor said he has had “numerous interactions with officers” since taking office.  He rode with the chief one evening, and attended the county Law Enforcement Academy graduation, where four city officers received diplomas.
“My good experiences have continued and nothing causes me to have a lack of confidence in the department and its leadership,” he said.