Bay Area chief of police allegedly commutes from Idaho(abc7news.com) |
Bay Area chief of police allegedly commutes from Idaho(abc7news.com) |
Here, the two bedrooms were added to the police station so the police chief can live there at taxpayer expense, in seeming violation of Millbrae's Code of Ethics for city employees, and without permission or a permit, and in violation of fire code. "The inspector also took a picture of a shelf in the bedroom with what appears to be a half gallon of liquor. That would be a violation of both city and county policy."
Do you really want a police chief to have such disregard for the law, regulations, and policy? I sure don't.
It looks like you skipped these rather important details so you could have an excuse to complain about the Bay Area and promote open carry. In actuality, you are justifying an abuse of power and trust.
And you think the chief of police never unexpectedly needs to be on-site during the weekend, nor needs to inform the Board of Supervisors of his regular weekly absences? (For that matter, does his compensation already include a cost of living adjustment with the expectation he would live in the county?)
I suppose you also think it's appropriate for a bomb squad member to live out-of-state for a job which requires they be able to respond to a bomb threat within one hour?
It really comes across like you have an axe to grind about the Bay Area and being forced to live there, causing you to be an apologist for police officers who break the law and their job obligations.
The article was clear that there was no building permit, it wasn't up to fire code, it violated ethics rules, and more. (Eg, "Millbrae officials tell me Eamonn Allen didn't get permission before installing those mattresses, he didn't get a permit, and that he changed the locks on the building." ... "Chief Allen has to get permits, modify construction, and pass inspection if he wants sleeping quarters there.")
> and response plans for his brief absences
It appears the city manager was not aware of his frequent absences, which is why he filed a complaint to the city attorney. Who is supposed to know these response plans and sign off on them?
> Is he required to never vacation so he’s always available on short notice?
Of course not. Holidays are something to work out with, among other things, your employer. It does not appear that city management knew he was doing this.
> Maybe we should look at the rules he allegedly broke and see if they need changing?
Like having building permits, the requirement for sleeping areas to have fire-resistant walls and a secondary egress, and the ethical prohibitions on using "city owned property for personal need, convenience or profit"?
You are joking if you think all of them should be changed so the police chief - who is supposed to follow and help enforce these rules - doesn't break them in secret because his heart simply isn't into living in Millbrea during the weekends and he doesn't want to pay for a studio apartment or motel room on his 6-digit salary, on top of his mortgage and travel cost for his house in Idaho.
If only the police chief made that argument first, in public, instead of sneaking around the rules.
> This article makes me feel
That's because you seems like someone who really, really doesn't want to live in the place you work but don't have an option to work remotely.
> as a political move more than in the actual interest of safety
Then the police chief is extremely poor at understanding the rules and how to work within them to effect change.
> I would hope he gets the same treatment that those living on the street ... support from the community and no repercussions at all.
You really are ill-informed. "Millbrae is now the first city in San Mateo County to implement a no-camping ordinance intended to prevent unsheltered homelessness and remove encampments." https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/local/millbrae-passes-sa...
Ha! "It allows Millbrae to remove personal property and campsite-related items in public spaces with 24-hour notice for individuals. If personal items are removed, they will be stored at the Millbrae Police Bureau for up to 90 days." so technically the police chief could keep his personal items at the station for 90 days, just like homeless people could. But that's not what you meant since homeless people aren't being given free shelter at the police station.
I get it. You don't like California cities. You want to live some place cheap and with guns, while making a good income. Sounds great. But you are letting your emotions make you blind to anything outside of your tunnel vision and gut feelings.