During the past week, the Hollister Police Officers Association
had been concerned about Jeff Miller being the finalist for the
police chief vacancy, according to union President Ray Wood.
During the past week, the Hollister Police Officers Association had been concerned about Jeff Miller being the finalist for the police chief vacancy, according to union President Ray Wood.
“He was already taking heat, and he wasn’t even here yet,” Wood said.
Before Miller announced on Monday he would decline the position as the next Hollister police chief, City Manager Dale Shaddox had chosen him from a pool of three finalists and eight semi-finalists.
Miller’s only previous chief experience was in Rohnert Park – an 18-month tenure tarnished by controversy, namely discontent from the police officers and firefighters union.
Miller was Rohnert Park’s public safety director and oversaw both the police and fire departments, a total of 100 employees. He resigned in October 2001 to be a patrol officer in the City of Sonoma, where he is now a sergeant.
Starting about a week ago, Wood had discussed the circumstances that led to Miller’s departure there with members of the Rohnert Park union. According to the Rohnert Park Police Officers Association, Miller was indecisive, a poor communicator and unsupportive. And Wood didn’t take those allegations lightly.
“Absolutely, I was concerned,” he said.
Wood said the Hollister POA worried about Miller’s reputation as a leader because the HPD’s morale was “very up and down” during the five-year tenure of retired Chief Bill Pierpoint, who left in March.
“We truly need some stability in this department,” Wood said. “Morale took some major dives.”
While he realizes personnel issues are highly confidential, he said, the POA strongly desires more input on the selection process. He said “several reliable people” informed him the POA would be involved in the chief selection.
“And we didn’t (have that involvement),” he said.
While Shaddox is again narrowing the list to another final candidate, officers prefer a new leader with previous chief experience because, Wood said, “we’re not in a position to develop a chief.”
