Officers are not happy
Survey reveals cops are fed up with unethical behavior by command staff, sexual misconduct, and lying to the media.
An internal survey by the Monterey, California police officers’ union, that was leaked to the press, shows discontent with the department has increased dramatically since the last survey was taken years ago. Survey takers indicated they were upset that a supervisor may have passed a homicide case on to another jurisdiction to keep Monterey’s crime count low. Also mentioned allegations of sexual misconduct; and that a command officer lied to news media about the cost of department equipment.
Also mentioned was dissatisfaction with the department’s three lieutenants and their management styles.
“Morale is low, turnover is high, hard work isn’t appreciated and there isn’t even a light at the end of the tunnel,” one respondent wrote. Police Chief Phil Penko called the results “alarming.”
The survey was dated Jan. 21. It comes months after two other Peninsula police unions returned “no confidence” votes regarding Pacific Grove and Seaside’s shared police chief, Vicki Myers. Those unions have not publicly acknowledged the votes, but numerous police sources have confirmed that those votes took place late last year.
Monterey Police Association President Officer Gabe said the survey was not approved for release to the media.
“It’s kind of an unfortunate situation,” he said. “The survey was not supposed to be anything other than an internal document to express some concerns to the chief.”
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