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City manager mum on police chief matter
By Chris Beattie, cbeattie@starlocalnews.com
It's clear few, if any, McKinney city staff members and city council members were aware of former Police Chief Doug Kowalski's reassignment before it happened.
And while Mayor Brian Loughmiller and Councilman Ray Ricchi have expressed their disagreement with the decision, it appears a done deal. Though no one with the city, including City Manager Jason Gray, has given a specific reason for the change.
On Oct. 5, Gray removed Kowalski as police chief and replaced him with Deputy City Manager Joe Williams, whom Gray's worked with in three consecutive cities over the past 10 years.
"I no longer have confidence in your ability to remain in your position as the Police Chief for the City of McKinney," Gray stated in a memo to Kowalski. "I believe a change is in order."
Gray goes on to state that he made the decision "after careful consideration of all of the circumstances," and that he is temporarily reassigning Kowalski to "special assistant to the city manager." Gray also asked Kowalski for his badge, weapon, ID, keys and all other city property in his possession.
Further, Gray told Kowalski that while under the reassignment he is expected to "temporarily refrain from communicating (either directly or through any third party) with the city council, city employees, or media," and to "engage in official city communications with [Gray] or [his] designee only."
He also told Kowalski to refrain from visiting McKinney Police Department and city facilities. The restrictions, Gray states in the memo, are "to avoid disruption of city and police operations," and failure to follow them would be considered "insubordination" and grounds for withdrawal of the agreement and for "possible termination."
About an hour after Gray's meeting with Kowalski, Gray emailed to the mayor and city council his decision and the memo he gave Kowalski. In his email, Gray states, "For a variety of reasons, I no longer have confidence in his ability to lead the McKinney Police Department in a satisfactory manner. Doug is being reassigned and placed on paid administrative leave immediately."
Gray also notified the mayor and council he had appointed Williams as the new chief, and asked them not to forward the information to anyone.
Gray did not notify police of the decision until another hour later, shortly after 11 a.m., and did so by sending via email a link to a YouTube video of his announcement.
This week, following a special meeting with Gray, Ricchi and Loughmiller voiced to the public their disagreement with Gray's decision. Council members Geralyn Kever, Roger Harris and David Brooks, however, said that though it could have been handled better, they support Gray's decision.
Kever on Tuesday deferred comment on the situation to Loughmiller, but reportedly told the Dallas Morning News on Wednesday that Gray has the "right to make personnel assignments and reassignments."
Gray could not be reached for comment all week.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
McKSoldier wrote on Oct 13, 2012 2:32 AM:
" A gutless action, devoid of any respect for a person that served McKinney well and with a very high level on duty and honor. Citizens are still waiting to hear what possible, viable justification Mr. Gray could possibly present for his misguided, unprofessional dismissal of Chief Kowalski. Enough is enough, Mr Gray please do the City of McKinney and our taxpayers a great service and divulge/make public your misgivings and evidence that: 1) Chief Kowalski has failed to do his job. 2) Why Mr. Williams is such as hot prospect that he should forgo screenings, interviews etc to become our new Chief. Your lack of professionalism Mr. Gray is astounding, your ineptitude is consistent at least, its easy to see why you change jobs and cities so often. "
rlvjavrlvjav wrote on Oct 16, 2012 6:50 AM:
" Another black eye on the '2nd best place to live in America?!' Meanwhile, Frisco, Allen ... even Fairview are kicking McK's tail with REAL commercial and infrastructure development.
But then again, they have to have someplace to buy their gasoline and any McKinney street corner supplies that need. "
But then again, they have to have someplace to buy their gasoline and any McKinney street corner supplies that need. "
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Also, if wrong doing was done then why is this person still on the Jo. I'm not talking about minor violations but due to the swiftness of the action I seriously doubt this was a minor issue.
Do we have anyone that wants to spill the beans? "