THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 8, 1996 TAG: 9603080548
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAC DANIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
Mayor William E. Ward broke his silence Thursday over questions concerning the performance of the city's Police Department, saying he does not think an independent investigation of the agency is necessary.
``It is time for us to move on to other issues and the city business,'' Ward wrote in a press release he hand-delivered to the newspaper.
The Police Department's actions became an issue last month after city officials said Police Chief Ian M. Shipley Jr. failed to answer questions fully about an internal investigation surrounding the arrests of the sons of a longtime councilman, a sheriff's captain and a police captain.
While Ward said he would accept a decision by the Circuit Court to convene a special grand jury, if the court found it appropriate, ``I do not believe it is necessary.''
Ward was the first of the nine Chesapeake council members to publicly speak on the matter. He faxed copies of his press release late Thursday to council members and reporters, he said.
In response to the mayor's press release, Councilman Alan P. Krasnoff said the city's Police Department, as well as the city, deserve to see that the matter is fully investigated.
``Reasonable people can disagree,'' said Krasnoff of the mayor's decision, ``and in this case, I disagree. The morale and credibility of hundreds of people on the police force has been affected by speculation which deals with only a small handful. These people deserve better, the police deserve better, the people of Chesapeake deserve the truth, whatever it is, no matter how it turns out.
``In order to restore morale, we need to restore credibility. In order to restore credibility, we need to get to the truth, because we cannot continue to have a Police Department with a cloud looming over it. They deserve better.''
Councilman John M. de Triquet said he's ``not willing to preempt the decision of the finders of fact.
``I think the letter is premature.''
Other members of the council could not be reached for comment.
Ward, 62, a Democrat who is seeking a second full term as mayor in the May 7 council elections, said he ``agonized'' over taking his stance. But after hearing from citizens who wanted the matter done with, Ward said, he made his decision.
``I see a demoralized Police Department,'' Ward said Thursday. ``I see people torn apart.''
The mayor's statement came as the council awaits a decision by Circuit Court Chief Judge Russell I. Townsend Jr. as to whether calling a special grand jury could be an option.
Both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia State Police have refused to investigate the case.
The FBI said it had no jurisdiction. And last week, Virginia State Police officials said that, based on what they had been told, it was an administrative matter, not a criminal one.
The concerns rest with the department's handling of cases involving the sons of prominent citizens.
Alan Keith Butt, 27, son of veteran Councilman John W. Butt, and William Jeremy Brickhouse, 20, son of Sheriff's Capt. William Brickhouse, are charged with receiving stolen property allegedly taken from Givens Honda in 1994.
In a separate case, William Lawrence Spruill Jr., the 23-year-old son of police Capt. William L. Spruill, is charged with grand larceny and breaking and entering in the theft of an all-terrain vehicle from the home of Vice Mayor Robert T. Nance Jr.
In his press release, Ward said Chief Shipley ``gave what I believe to be a credible explanation of his handling of the situation.
``A thorough investigation by the Internal Affairs Division was conducted, and five outstanding officers who have served this city for many years with unblemished records received reprimands which could affect future promotional opportunities.''
``Whatever the outcome from the judicial side of the situation,'' Ward wrote, ``my position is that the matter is closed. I am proceeding on to other business matters of the city.
``To involve ourselves in personnel decisions that, by law, are confidential, and to attempt to second guess the appropriateness of disciplinary actions, is not proper,'' Ward wrote, ``and I believe tends to erode confidence in our system.''
Ward said that Shipley has served the city ``with honor and ability; he deserves our support and appreciation for managing an outstanding police department.''
KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION by CNB