Livingston police chief placed on administrative leave

LIVINGSTON -- Several Livingston police officers wore black bands over their badges Wednesday -- but the gesture usually dedicated to those killed in the line of duty was meant for another reason.

It was a bold statement to support Police Chief Doug Dunford, who was put on administrative leave by city officials Tuesday evening.

Acting City Manager Vickie Lewis said she ultimately made the decision, but wouldn't elaborate when asked why, citing personnel issues. She said city officials are working on a mutual agreement that would permanently sever Dunford's relationship with the city.

The City Council had nothing to do with the decision, but members were notified about it, Lewis said.

Dunford declined to comment, saying it's a personnel issue.

Lewis acknowledged that the gravity of her decision likely will affect morale on the police force, and won't sit well with some residents. She said she has received several phone calls from residents -- some supportive of the move, others not.

It's unfortunate that the decision came so soon before Christmas, but it needed to be done to move the city forward, Lewis added.

"I lost a lot of hours of sleep over it because it was not an easy decision," she said. "A lot of people will disagree, but they don't always have the facts."

Dunford was hired by the city in March. His salary was $124,812 a year, according to his contract.

Some residents think Dunford's dismissal was connected to fallout from the recall election in August that created a clear political divide in Livingston. Lewis denied that claim.

On the other hand, former Mayor Daniel Varela Sr. said the decision doesn't sound like one Lewis would make. "She's a great lady, but again, this doesn't sound like Vickie," he said.

Varela was disappointed when he heard about Dunford being put on administrative leave because city staffers always have prided themselves on bringing professionals into the city, he said. Dunford has been nothing but professional, he added.

"A great investment of time and resources went into finding the right chief for Livingston," Varela said. "This undermines the community and creates a negative view of what Livingston is."

The move is detrimental to the Police Department, residents and leadership of Livingston, he said.

In the meantime, Lewis named Lt. Chris Soria as acting police chief.

Dunford was well liked by those within the department, Soria said. He said he never had heard any complaints from residents about Dunford.

Soria acknowledged that the move has affected morale among his fellow officers.

"We'll get through it," Soria said. "Obviously others, as well as myself, are devastated to see him go. I don't want to see him go, but things happen."

As acting chief, Soria plans to keep everything "status quo" within the department. "I don't really like changing a whole lot because I know eventually a new chief will come in," he said.

Calls to council members weren't returned by the Sun-Star's deadline Wednesday, except for Councilwoman Theresa Land. She said she'd heard about the dismissal, but declined to comment, saying it's a personnel matter.

Lewis and the city attorney likely will meet with Dunford again this week or next to discuss his departure from the city, Lewis said.

"I respect the man," she said. "I think he will make a good chief wherever he chooses to go -- if he chooses to become a chief. This has nothing to do with performance."

There is a severance clause in Dunford's contract, but the mutual agreement needs to be finalized before Lewis knows the amount of his severance pay.

Reporter Mike North can be reached at (209) 385-2453 or mnorth@mercedsun-star.com.

This story was originally published December 22, 2010 at 11:11 AM with the headline "Livingston police chief placed on administrative leave."