We, in Monroe, find that our chief of police, Colleen Wilson, has been released from her position as chief of the Monroe Police Department. I have known Chief Wilson for over 20 years and know her to be an honorable person, a fine police officer, supportive of the City of Monroe and generally a great asset to the community. Her community service in the police department is well known. She has built a good reputation with the citizens, both young and older and with the Monroe ethnic community. Her dedication has been shown in many ways, both small and in the line of duty. She is well respected.
The question is to Mayor Donetta Walser and the city council: “Why would you remove a person with such an excellent reputation?”
The test of good leadership in any organization is to recognize good people and make the most of their talent and contributions to the organization. What happened here?
Further, as a business decision, any manager knows it is very expensive to replace well-trained, competent staff. What is the cost to us, the citizens, to advertise, pay city council trips to interview, pay for interviewees to travel to Monroe, then hire and train a replacement?
This doesn’t sound like a well- planned business decision. Good employees make a leader look good when the leader has the courage to give the employee the credit due. Something is really wrong here! I believe that the Monroe City Council and the mayor owe an explanation to the citizens of Monroe and Chief Wilson.
Our city has been well run for the 27 years I have lived here. Now, in five months, the city administrator resigned, the assistant administrator resigned, the director of community development resigned, our chief of police has been demoted without cause – all competent, qualified, professional people. Who is next?
I respectfully request that the mayor and the city council reconsider their decision.
Monroe
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