Curt Walton Will Not Review Promotion Concerns in CMPD

It seems that Mr. Walton, Chief Monroe, Human Resources, nor perhaps anyone else in our city is interested in reviewing the policies of hiring and promotion which have been taking place within the police department. It causes one to wonder: WHY?

Why was such an elaborate letter (see below) designed to avoid answering a couple of direct questions related to promotion practices released a week after it was requested? More interesting, it was sent only a few minutes after the writer identified the release of an announcement of the predicted promotions were made available on www.cedarposts.blogspot.com  ?

Sent July 28, 2011:

Dear Mr. Walton,

There are questions regarding the announced intention by Chief of Police Rodney Monroe to promote RAC’s (Response Area Commanders) to Captain, and to make a number of other promotions. As far as I am aware, the RAC changes have not yet happened.

Also, there seems to be very strong concern among at least some of your rank and file officers particularly over certain Majors that maybe up for promotion. The expressed concern is that if these promotions were made, they would not be justified and would be extremely harmful to morale—possibly more, in terms of implementing and assuring fair practices. Are you aware of this? As City Manager, are you involved in the process of review/promotion of officers? The issue seems to be one of fairness, equal opportunity, and qualification for jobs and promotions.

Are there guidelines/criteria or promotions within the Police Department? Are seniority, quality of service, supervisory reviews, disciplinary issues, peer evaluation, or other specific items considered? Are there legal considerations?

Is there a timeline (ex: an annual date of promotions or reviews of employees) for any changes to happen? Has a timeline for promotions been announced yet?

Thank you for your interest.

Wed, Aug 3, 2011 at 10:17 AM

Mr. Fey, Mr. Tufano, Mr. Walton,

You never replied to the questions herein, yet today there are reports that some pretty unusual promotions came out in the brass sections of your CMPD.

Does that mean that no one considered the information below, that I was assured an answer to?

Please send a response to my questions and now I guess I can add the following: are these all the promotions that will be announced? Do you feel these promotions represent fair promotions of the most qualified and deserving personnel in the best positions? Have you taken the time to review, in any way, past promotions--or now current promotions--to consider if they are being done with proper standards?

Please do not delay in responding. Thank you

City Manager Curt Walton’s response, in its entirety, is printed here. Despite multiple efforts beginning the week prior through CMPD PIO and Public Affairs, and copying Rodney Monroe, trying to get an earlier response, he would not provide one until after “brass” promotions were announced… the following arrived:

Wed, Aug 3, 2011 at 10:31 AM

RE: Promotions within the CMPD

The Charlotte – Mecklenburg Police Department has a very specific policy with regard to the evaluation and selection of personnel for promotion to sworn ranks. CMPD directive 300-011 Promotional Procedures (available on line at www.cmpd.org ) outlines the procedures, eligibility requirements and process for promotion to the sworn ranks of Sergeant, Captain and Major.

The promotional process for the ranks of Sergeant and Captain is defined in the promotional process announcements for those ranks. The promotional process announcement includes information about the process components, their relative values, eligibility requirements and details of testing administration. All candidates who complete the full process for the ranks of Sergeant and Captain, as defined by the respective promotional process announcements, will be placed on a promotional eligibility list in the rank order as determined by cumulative scores. Promotions to the rank of Sergeant, Captain and Major must also be approved by the Civil Service Board.

Promotions to the rank of Sergeant will be made in rank order as established by the final promotional eligibility list. The current Sergeant’s eligibility list expires on 11/30/2011.

Promotions to the rank of Captain will be made from the final eligibility list by use of a rule of five. For each promotion to be made, the Chief of Police may select from the top five candidates without regard to rank order. Any candidates not selected for promotion will remain on the list in the original rank order and will be eligible for future promotions. To aid in this selection, the Chief of Police may use additional examinations or interviews, and he or she may require the production of any documentation or other materials the Chief considers appropriate. The current Captain’s list expires on 11/30/2012.

Promotions to the rank of Major and Deputy Police Chief will be made at the discretion of the Chief of Police.

It is my understand that the Chief will be making the promotional process announcement for the rank Lieutenant in the very near future, with the announcement regarding the Sergeant’s process shortly after. The criteria and eligibility requirements for the rank of Lieutenant and Sergeant will be stated in the announcements.

Key Business Executives throughout the City organization have the authority to make hiring decisions and promotions on the basis of merit and organizational need. I wholeheartedly support Chief Monroe and the Charlotte –Mecklenburg Police Department’s decisions regarding promotion to sworn ranks.

All received this letter in response, including HR, (not highlighted at the time):

Mr. Walton--with assistance from HR & CMPD:

Thank you so much for your belated response. However, you did not address this issue: Do you feel these promotions represent fair promotions of the most qualified and deserving personnel in the best positions? Have you taken the time to review, in anyway, past promotions--or now current promotions--to consider if they are being done with proper standards?

Your comment: “Key Business Executives throughout the City organization have the authority to make hiring decisions and promotions on the basis of merit and organizational need” is not supported in the directives that you pointed me to, unless you explain further. How do you define“organizational need?” Please be specific.

Does your statement: “I wholeheartedly support Chief Monroe and the Charlotte – Mecklenburg Police Department’s decisions regarding promotion to sworn ranks” indicate that you have in fact reviewed the issues I have pointed out, and allowed the practices to proceed as Chief Monroe has undertaken them, or that you have chosen not to investigate possible inconsistencies with hiring, retention, and promotion issues in the police department? The directives you have pointed me to state clearly that all elements used in the promotional process will be job-related and nondiscriminatory.

Also, none of these policies refer to the hiring or promotion of an “Executive Officer” or “Executive Assistant.” Is there some other policy concerning those? Was there a job posting that went up for those positions? If so, I would like to have a copy of that posting—though if it will cause a delay in your answer to the few questions above, let’s consider that a separate request to be handled. Considering the timing of your answer to this e-mail and the vague reference to more eminent announcements of promotions, I think it’s only fair to request that you answer these questions now.

Thank you so much.

Response from Curt Walton August 3, 2011:

“I’ve addressed the issue with you and have nothing further to add.”

There has been no answer to any of the issues in highlighted above. I have sent a follow up request specifically to HR, still copying the rest of the group, and will let you know what response comes—if any.