One went to his off-duty job rather than to the Dallas Zoo. One was the department's first Asian-American deputy chief but had been triple-promoted from sergeant to get the job. One was a favorite of fired Police Chief Terrell Bolton who twice failed the lieutenant's exam before he, too, was triple-promoted. Many in the department said Police Chief David Kunkle's demotion Monday of three deputy chiefs marked a small but significant step to restoring sound leadership and accountability to an ailing Police Department that had been blasted for the city's high crime rate, the fake-drugs scandal, flawed hiring practices and cronyism. In their place, he installed eight seasoned commanders with a combined experience of 173 years, standing in stark contrast to the mass October 1999 demotions by Mr. Bolton that replaced an experienced top tier with a less-seasoned cast. "It's a lot different than it was in November of 1999," Lt. Roseanna Renaud, commander of the northwest investigative unit, said of the department's reaction to the command staff shuffle. "People can see a light at the end of the tunnel," she said. "This is the first positive thing we've had happen to us in a long time." The chief's promotions and demotions were a boost to a demoralized rank and file that long thought its brass would not be held accountable for its failings. The promoted officers, among them people such as Deputy Chief Barbara Smith, a supervisor with a reputation as top-flight troubleshooter, and Deputy Chief Calvin Cunigan, a well-respected investigative unit commander are "first-rate, top-shelf individuals," said Dan Carlson, associate director of the Plano-based Institute for Law Enforcement Administration.
"I see a new sense of energy," Mr. Carlson said. "These folks are well-prepared to do what he wants them to do." But late last week, as speculation and rumors began to swirl around the chief's impending decisions, police associations began to voice strong concerns about the vetting process. "Probably every group you can imagine talked to me once they knew that this discussion was going on," Chief Kunkle said. He described the associations as being "very forceful," though he did not want to call it pressure and said his decision-making was unaffected. "I don't think the chief of police is going to cave in to any requests from an association to not make any type of personnel changes that he's already deemed fit," said Sgt. Malik Aziz, president of the Texas Peace Officers Association. But he added: "I thought the process that he was using was illegitimate and unfair. ... What we were lobbying was for all chiefs to be treated fairly because we had no idea which chiefs were going to actually get demoted because we were not privy to his list." Senior Cpl. George Aranda, president of the Latino Peace Officers Association, said a city of Dallas' size and diversity should have allowed for more input from the police associations, "especially from the associations that represent the community, meaning the African-American community and the Latino community." But Cpl. Aranda also said his association was pleased that no Hispanic chiefs were demoted. He said he thought the changes were just and fair. When Chief Kunkle took the reins of the Dallas Police Department just over a month ago, he inherited a command staff that had been criticized in internal operational reviews and internal memos as lacking in credibility and leadership skills. He had initially said he did not anticipate immediate demotions and declined to detail why he changed his mind. Chief Kunkle instead wanted to talk about the people he promoted, saying that they had a "good strong command presence" and could "motivate their officers." "I wanted people who could lead, inspire and manage," Chief Kunkle said. "We wanted people who would have ability and could understand their job from a conceptual and problem-solving perspective. They will listen and understand the community needs and translate that to service." Senior Cpl. Glenn White, president of the Dallas Police Association, said his membership â?? which represents more than 80 percent of the sworn officers â?? had hoped for more demotions. 'Disappointed' DPA "I think we're a little disappointed," he said. "We thought that Chief Kunkle was going to put in people and do something that would boost morale and put the bounce back in our step. But I think there are some people that maintained their rank who I feel certain shouldn't be there. I feel that deep down, Kunkle knows that, too." He said reports that City Hall blocked some demotions is disheartening. "When you bring politics into the job we do, things normally don't go very well." Mary Suhm, interim city manager, said Tuesday that no one from any police association personally contacted her about the changes. Cpl. White said the demotions send a message to all those who remain. "If you don't get the job done, you're next," he said. "We're waiting for a second wave." Staff writers Jason Trahan and Michael Grabell contributed to this report. E-mail teiserer@dallasnews.com WHO'S OUTJUNE KIM-EDWARDS Age: 49 Job: Demoted to sergeant in the Neighborhood Nuisance Response Unit Hired: 1988 Career: She was triple-promoted from junior sergeant to deputy chief in 1999. She was deputy chief over the northwest operations division from 1999 to 2003 and more recently over the Youth and Family Support Division. She also was a detective in the criminal intelligence unit. Observations: Although never involved in a major scandal, she is known as a nice person lacking the experience to be a deputy chief. TROY MCCLAIN Age: 57 Job: Demoted to captain over the Legal Services and Records Section Hired: 1969. Career: As deputy chief over the Tactical/Homeland Security Division, he failed to go to the Dallas Zoo the day a gorilla escaped and injured people. Initial findings of an internal investigation say he "failed to respond to a major police incident" when he instead went to his part-time, off-duty patrol job. Police officials say this had nothing to do with his transfer in late June. He has not yet been disciplined in the zoo incident. Observations: He does well in administrative functions, but was not known as being a quick-on-his-feet, take-charge commander. KYLE ROYSTER Age: 51 Job: Demoted to sergeant in the criminal intelligence section. Hired: 1985. Career: He is a former internal affairs and homicide detective. He was Mr. Bolton's administrative sergeant. He was triple-promoted from sergeant in October 1999, and placed over the Southwest Patrol Division. Observations: As a detective in 1993, he received counseling after failing to tell a supervisor of his plans to appear as a defense witness on behalf of an acquaintance charged in a drug case. He asked the judge to grant probation. He was widely viewed as one of fired Chief Terrell Bolton's right-hand men. SOURCES: The Dallas Police Department and research and interviews by staff writer Tanya Eiserer WHO'S INJULIAN BERNAL Age: 49 Job: Deputy chief over the Narcotics Division Hired: 1977. Career: He was already assigned to narcotics. He worked a special assignment in Internal Affairs. Observations: A tough disciplinarian who plays by the book, he may be key to having narcotics reinvent itself after police informants were caught in 2001 collecting money from police by planting fake drugs on people. DAVID BROWN Age: 43 Job: Deputy chief over the Northeast Patrol Division Hired: 1983. Career: He's been acting deputy chief at the Northeast patrol since the spring. He has an extensive background in patrol. Observations: He is well-respected among the rank and file and has done an admirable job running the Northeast patrol station. He is the only promotee with a significant disciplinary record: He was suspended for 15-days in 1987 in connection with a violation of the department's chase policy. CALVIN A. CUNIGAN Age: 51 Job: Deputy chief of the new Internal Affairs and Public Integrity Division Hired: 1982. Career: He has headed the department's criminal intelligence unit since 1999. He also served as a commander in Internal Affairs, the Dallas Police Academy and Southwest patrol. Observations: Recognized as a respected, first-rate supervisor. He is likely to bring a sense of order to an Internal Affairs system widely criticized as nitpicky and plodding. DAVID ELLISTON Age: 53 Job: Deputy chief over the North Central Patrol Division Hired: 1971. Career: He has been on special assignment investigating the fake-drug scandal. He previously served as commander of the homicide, robbery and assaults units. Observations: Considered an able commander, Chief Elliston returns to patrol after 17 years in investigative units. VINCE GOLBECK Age: 46 Job: Deputy chief over the Southwest Patrol Division Hired: 1980. Career: He has been commander since 1999 of the department's 75 officers in the Central Business District Area operations, which includes the Deep Ellum entertainment district and the Cedars neighborhood. Observations: He has performed well in a high-profile assignment. He will be first white male in at least a decade to lead Southwest, one of the department's toughest patrol areas. BRIAN HARVEY Age: 47 Job: Deputy chief over the Central Patrol Division Hired: 1980. Career: He had been assigned to the North Central patrol operations station, where he is an administrative lieutenant, since 2000. He has also been serving as the Police Department's liaison to the firm conducting a soon-to-be-completed independent efficiency study. Observations: Regarded as a steady, competent commander, his promotion is widely seen as rewarding excellence. BARBARA SMITH Age: 44 Job: Deputy chief over the new Inspections and Accountability Division, which will move the department toward using computer crime-tracking to target where to put officers. Hired: 1983. Career: She's been on special assignment as project manager working to replace the city's antiquated dispatch system. She also supervised the department's relocation to the Jack Evans Police Headquarters and developed the computer crime-tracking program. Observations: Considered the go-to person on special projects and an accomplished troubleshooter, she is a tough, no-nonsense leader. RON WALDROP Age: 53 Job: Assistant chief over the new West Bureau, which includes the Northwest and Southwest patrol divisions. Hired: 1970. Career: He was acting assistant chief over the support services bureau. He is a former police spokesman, and has a lengthy background in the homicide, public integrity and internal affairs units. Observations: He has an outstanding reputation as an insightful, capable leader with an ability to see and fix problems.