Bowser wants decision on police leader

By Chris Sykes, Staff Writer
Mayor Robert Bowser’s address to the City Council last week included a request for them to make acting Police Chief William Robinson’s appointment to the Police Department permanent during 2012.
“In public safety, our city continues to maintain its global leadership position with respect to the pioneering law-enforcement technology that continues to deliver a greater measure of safety and security for our citizens,” Bowser said Jan. 2 during the council’s reorganization meting. “It is through the hard work of the men and women of the Police Department and its leadership that we have been able to maintain and build on our high expectations. It is for these reasons that we look forward to the support of members of the council to move expeditiously to confirm the appointment of our acting Chief William Robinson as police chief to continue our legacy of groundbreaking safety leadership.”
In his evaluation of the department, Bowser said it promoted 17 staff members, nine to sergeant, five to lieutenant, and three captains, “which includes the first female to rise to the rank of captain in the history of the EOPD.”
Bowser also talked about the department’s continued use of technology to assist personnel in fighting crime. That improvement in public safety, which has been documented in state reports, was begun by former Police Director Jose Cordero and continues under Robinson’s leadership.
“These brave public servants represent the future generation of leadership in the Police Department of which we should continue to be proud,” Bowser said.
Although settling Robinson’s status was a major point in Bowser’s address, the council does not have to act on his request immediately. City ordinances allow a mayor to appoint someone to lead a department for up to one year before he needs to the council’s approval to make his choice permanent.
As a courtesy by the mayor to the council, it is allowed to interview administrative appointees prior to their temporary hiring. The timeframe for an approval vote is dependent on the council’s scheduling a vote. As Robinson was made acting chief during 2011, the council soon must make a decision regarding Robinson’s status.
“We have a lot of very important things to do in the new year and that is one of them,” said 5th Ward Councilwoman Alicia Holman, chairwoman of the council’s Public Safety Committee. “The council will have to have a discussion to see what we are going to do when it comes to the police chief’s position. I’m not sure where we stand on that yet.”