Following a quarrelsome meeting with about 30 residents supporting Milton Police Department Chief William Phillips, the Milton Town Council tabled a measure to monitor the police chief’s activities.
At a Monday, Oct. 5 town council meeting, council members were preparing to discuss an eight-page town directive outlining the objectives and goals for Phillips. Suggestions included getting approval for grant applications, supplying council with minutes of regularly scheduled interdepartmental staff meetings and keeping a record of documents shredded at the station.
During the public participation portion of the meeting, resident Marion Jones said she found the proposed policies and goals challenging to read and confusing. She asked the council if other town departments were required to follow similar directives.
“Do all departments have to submit to this scrutiny? You are setting this man up to fail,” she said. She also asked why the chief had been reporting to Town Manager George Dickerson instead of Milton Mayor Don Post, since Post is, ultimately, the commander in chief.
Resident Paul Yanucci, a retired police officer, said, “Why are we still beating this up? The issue should be buried.”
Yanucci pointed to serious problems, such as flooding at Shipbuilders Village, that he said should be addressed rather than Phillips. “This thing has really gotten out of hand,” said Yanucci, who said the town spent $100,000 in legal fees for a public hearing for the chief, who, in the end, was reinstated.
Councilman Noble Prettyman moved to table the approval of policies and objectives for the chief. His motion was quickly seconded by Councilwoman Mary Hudson. Then, council entered a discussion broken – more than once – by audience jeers and cat calling.
“I think now we need to let things rest. Let the chief get back to work,” said Prettyman. “He’s been out six months. We need to give it a rest, and let him do his job.”
Prettyman also referred to the improvements Phillips had made since returning to work.
In a monthly report, Phillips said a new evidence room had been designed, computer software for evidence tracking was functioning and officer training with the software was now under way. Phillips also said he began addressing a leaky basement. “Other than that, we’re up and running and moving right along,” he said. Council eventually voted 4-2 to table any objectives for Phillips and review his progress in six months.
Councilwoman Joanie Martin-Brown, who voted against tabling the measure, suggested instead that Phillips report to the Milton Personnel Committee. “Who is on the personnel committee?” shouted an audience member. Post now heads the personnel committee, following the resignation of former chairwoman Ronda Abraham.
Councilwoman Abraham argued the police chief already has to abide by standard operating procedures.
Still, Martin-Brown said the public hearing revealed changes need to be made in the police department.
“Give him the opportunity to show us in six months what he has done, and give him a chance. Give him the opportunity to show us what he can do,” said Vice Mayor Leah Betts. Her comments were met with widespread and immediate applause.
“Although 30 people are out there clapping, didn’t he have 10 years?” Post said. “I think it’s a very, very sad situation for the public. The issue here is that these things need to be addressed,” said the mayor. Post said he preferred to hold a public discussion of the chief’s objectives. Not doing so, said Post, would be like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand. Post also suggested forming a committee to oversee the chief’s work. That drew “throw your cronies on them,” from the audience.
Impatient audience members began to chant “vote, vote,” referring to the motion to table the objectives. After council tabled the measure, Hudson said waiting six months would provide a cooling-off period for the chief and town officials.
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