Louisville civil-rights activists yesterday challenged a survey released by the Fraternal Order of Police criticizing Metro Police Chief Robert White, and promised a survey of their own.
At news conferences held by the Justice Resource Center and the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression, representatives questioned whether the more than 500 responses to the union survey are representative of the opinions of the more than 1,200 officers on the force.
Representatives of Justice Resource Center and the Kentucky Alliance said that they haven't always agreed with White but that they support him overall. They also said White has taken unpopular stands to discipline officers when needed.
"This is the first time in years that a chief has gone against the grain in attempting to bring order and discipline to the force," said the Rev. Louis Coleman, director of the Justice Resource Center. "And this is just too much for those with their own selfish negative agenda â?? but most of all their overactive egos."
Police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley said White has received many calls of support since the release of the FOP survey Monday night, including some from officers. But she said he did not want to comment on them yesterday.
Coleman said a community survey seeking opinions about how White has done his job would be distributed by ministers at churches through this weekend. The survey has eight questions, including asking for a numerical ranking on White and the FOP, asking "do you feel that the chief deserves more support to correct wrongs in the force and the community than he is receiving?"
Another question asks: "Do you feel that the actions taken by the FOP interfer (sic) with the positive progress of the force?"
Although some of the activists complained that the FOP survey wasn't scientific, Joseph McMillan, of the Justice Resource Center, said, "If they can circulate an unscientific survey, why can't we?"
FOP President Richard Dotson defended the survey, saying that about half of the recipients responded.
Some activists also said that the criticisms of White are politically motivated, based on the dealings of Dotson and Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson.
Dotson, a former Louisville police chief, was demoted in 1990 by then Louisville Mayor Abramson. Abramson, who now leads the merged city and Jefferson County governments, hired White two years ago.
Several of the activists said they find it odd that Dotson, who they said couldn't succeed as chief, is now criticizing White.
Abramson demoted Dotson â?? who was chief from January 1982 to August 1990 â?? based on allegations that included sexually harassing three female police department employees.
Dotson always has denied those claims.
Alice Wade, coordinator for the Kentucky Alliance, said Dotson is striking at Abramson through White because of "the vendetta between him and the mayor."
"Certainly, that's bull," Dotson said in an interview yesterday. "... I would be very surprised if I could control the responses of 509 officers."
Coleman said he will meet with Dotson next week to discuss the survey. He said he also hopes to arrange a meeting with both Dotson and White.
Dotson said the meeting with Coleman would be a chance for both sides "to present our sides of the issue and have open dialogue."