Dover Report Calls Police Chief's Conduct 'Disturbing' but Not Illegal

An updated third-party investigation released by the city of Dover on Nov. 7 found that some conduct by Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson was 'disturbing' but did not violate the law. The 37-page report, completed by the Washington-based consultancy 21CP Solutions, confirmed several allegations by the police union: Johnson drove his city-issued police vehicle on vacations and personal errands, and performed a part-time teaching job at Penn State during Dover working hours. The report also found that because Mayor Robin Christiansen, Johnson's direct supervisor, had verbally approved these arrangements, Johnson was cleared on grounds of malice or ethical violation. The root problem, the report said, was an 'institutional failure': the city lacked clear written rules, leaving the chief's use of city property and outside employment without enforceable standards while rank-and-file officers are held to stricter rules, a disparity that bred legitimate resentment. The report also found that the mayor had directed the police union to attack two city council members, calling it 'bad politics' but not a violation of city or state law. It recommends barring elected officials from summoning officers during duty hours, formalizing vehicle and secondary-employment policies, and standardizing commanders' attendance rules. Dover paid $50,000 for the investigation, and the council president said the recommendations will be implemented.

(Source: City of Dover)

Source: City of Dover

Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 图：特拉华州立法厅（多佛）。图片来源：Adavyd，CC BY-SA 3.0，Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Delaware Legislative Hall in Dover. Source: Adavyd, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.