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California firm hired to review police
By SARAH BLASKOVICH, Staff writer
An additional $50,000 was tacked on for an outside review of complaints made about the Southlake Police Department and its chief, following city council approval Tuesday.
The Tarrant County District Attorney’s office recently released a report after a 5-month grand jury investigation that found no criminal activity among the police department’s personnel matters. The investigation will now be scrutinized by a California-based company, which is expected to make suggestions to fix potential internal problems, said Pilar Schank, spokesperson for the city.
The item was tucked into the consent agenda and passed unanimously, 7-0. None of the council members commented publicly on the issue.
The case will cost the city about $70,000 when completed — of which $50,000 was approved Tuesday. Initially, city staff allocated $20,000 for the project, according to an undated city memo. The money will come out of the DPS support services budget, of which $1.58 million city funds are allocated, Schank said.
The firm began a preliminary review on March 3 that included a glimpse into three cases the DA reviewed. The added $50,000 will expand the project, Schank said.
In total, McNally & Associates will explore eight cases, including the anonymous letter sent to the city manager on May 30, 2007.
Timothy McNally, of McNally & Associates, wrote that the anonymous letter “alleged low morale existed within
See REVIEW, Page 7A
the police department, expressed concerns regarding the leadership and effectiveness of command staff, and specifically noted that the chief, captain and some of the lieutenants were directly responsible,” according to a March 7 letter between the firm and the city.
The company vowed to conduct interviews and review public and confidential records in the allotted 300 hours they believe is necessary to do a thorough search, according to the March 7 letter.
City representatives have remained tight-lipped about most of the eight cases, but a timeline of some events since summer 2007 was available Tuesday.
The case surrounds a concern that Southlake Police Chief Wade Goolsby played “favorites” and allowed the reputation and social standing of others influence criminal cases dating back to 2005, according to the DA’s February report.
In January 2008, Lt. Mike Kenney was fired from the department after formally complaining about Goolsby, said Kenney’s attorney, Lance Wyatt. Kenney was re-hired in early March, but city staff has not provided documents to explain the situation.
Also, Sgt. Jason Steele was placed on paid leave in February 2008, pending an investigation about a possible leak within the department, according to the DA’s February report.
McNally & Associates will suggest next steps for the city to take with regards to the complaints, Schank said. She did not know if the suggestions would include the hiring and firing of certain individuals.
The presentation to council members during work session was given by the city manager’s intern, Lauren Clark. Schank said interns are asked to give presentations frequently and that Clark simply served as a “voice.” The text concerning the agenda item was written by City Manager Shana Yelverton and two other employees, Schank said.
Contact Sarah Blaskovich at 972-628-4074 or sblaskovich@acnpapers.com
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