GUADALUPE -- The Guadalupe Police Officers Association voted unanimously to file the vote of no-confidence against Chief Mitchell at the city council meeting.
The Guadalupe POA are questioning his ability to perform as Chief of Police because of his "intolerance of people who differ from himself, whether by appearance or race."
The Guadalupe POA has also released a statement outlining examples of where they thought he showed that bias and intolerance.
RELEASE ON THE NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE FROM THE GUADALUPE POA:
To preserve the quality of public safety provided to the Guadalupe community as well as maintaining integrity and morale within the Guadalupe Police Department, the Guadalupe Police Officers Association regretfully announces that it has taken a vote of no confidence in its Police Chief, George Mitchell. The vote was conducted by secret ballot in which 100% of the GPOA members responded (all police officers, corporals and sergeants in the Police Department). The vote was unanimous in finding a lack of confidence or support to continue following the leadership of Chief Mitchell.
A number of incidents during Chief Mitchells' four and a half year tenure with the Department have resulted in this unanimous vote of no confidence. Primarily, it is Chief Mitchells' intolerance of people who differ from himself, whether by appearance or race. Chief Mitchell has illustrated his intolerance and bias on numerous occasions, which have caused the officers of the Guadalupe Police Department to seriously question his ability to perform as its Chief of Police or perform in any legitimate law enforcement position, which clearly requires a non-bias and tolerant character.
As a few samples of Chief Mitchells' demonstrated bias and intolerance toward others we include the following.
1. During a conversation with several members of the Department, Chief Mitchell made a disturbing remark about the community. Chief Mitchell stated, "Everyone in Guadalupe is related by incest," making a derogatory reference towards Hispanics in the community. Of course, not one employee in the room laughed, most of who were offended by this comment. In addition, he has bypassed the hiring of qualified Hispanic officers, in favor of non-Spanish speaking, Anglo, or more Anglo appearing officers.
2. Chief Mitchells' inability to interact with females in elevated positions of authority also remains in question by his vulgar comments towards females, as witnessed by several members in the department.
3. Chief Mitchell has exhibited a continual pattern of retaliation for those who speak out against him or question anything he does. Mitchell has told his supervisors that they must support his ideas regardless of what they were and if they didn't he would find supervisors who would. Understandably, in this stifled environment, not many supervisors directly questioned or challenged Chief Mitchells' opinions. For the few courageous individuals who did, the wrath of Chief Mitchell was severe. In one occasion, a Sergeant questioned Mitchell on a schedule issue which resulted in an Internal Affairs Investigation and ultimately costing the Sergeant her job.
4. Mitchells' desire to remain unquestioned was exemplified in his recent hiring of an officer with-out posting it for qualified candidates.
5. Although being sworn in as Chief in 2008, Mitchell has shown a lack of leadership. After eight months of employment, he did not know the names of some of his officers or the difference between them. He further alienated himself by watching television while officers spoke to him. During the last 4 1/2 years Chief Mitchell has been unavailable when called for threshold incidents (i.e. murder, attempted murder, stabbing, etc.) where it is imperative he be immediately notified. His primary residence is out of county, and we do not have his address for outside agency contact. There have been several incidents reported by officers of Chief Mitchell's failure to hear, answer, or respond to calls for service when help is needed. He continually fails to inform records staff of his immediate absence (meetings, lunch, leaving town, etc.), where they are responsible for knowing where he is should an emergency arise or where he cannot be located by radio or cell phone. There have been numerous incidents where officers in the field have requested immediate assistance and Chief Mitchell, talking on the telephone or to another person, has not heard their calls for help. It is at this time when records personal have intervened and called to his attention the need for his assistance.
It is only after numerous attempts to work together and hoping that Chief Mitchell would turn around that the Police Officers Association has taken this action. As members of the community responsible for its public safety and well-being, the GPOA feel an obligation to rid its Department of someone who has an obvious hatred toward others and exhibits racial bias. We seek community support in contacting our City Council Members to provide a strong unbiased leader for our Police Department.
