One of the chief concerns that Mr. Emlen has expressed has been the lack of sufficient detail to allow for a follow up investigation. The report heavily relies on confidential witnesses, many of whom went to great lengths to avoid discovery that they reported feared would bring retaliation. This included a number of witnesses who apparently parked several blocks away and then walked in the back door rather than parking in the grand jury parking lot.
As the City Manager told the California Aggie in an article that appeared in Monday’s paper:
“I’ve seen these [reports] over the years and I think it is pretty broad in terms of scope and the things they looked at… There are issues in there we wish we had more information on, but we understand why it can’t be there due to the need for confidentiality.”
The Vanguard asked City Manager Emlen if the investigator would possess the ability to compel testimony, i.e. some sort of subpoena power, and he said they were looking into whether he did or did not have subpoena power. During the course of the debate on what type of police oversight system Davis would have, back in 2006, one of the key questions was whether a civilian review board could have subpoena power. Research indicated that generally such boards had special investigators like the Ombudsman position, that could in fact compel witnesses to come forward and testify. The city ultimately went with the straight Ombudsman in part because of concerns of confidentiality in such matters.
A similar problem exists in this case. In some ways, this report is a personnel complaint as much as anything else and those matters are protected by confidentiality. In fact, Mr. Emlen in the California Aggie article again asserted that some of the findings in the report there are legitimate explanations, but confidentiality prohibits the city from providing those explanations.
There is considerable question on the timing of this report. The law requires the city to respond within 90 days. Mr. Emlen believes that at least some kind of response could occur at that point in time, but there might be aspects that go beyond the 90 period.
City Councilmember Lamar Heystek was the first to call for an independent investigator:
“I think we need to bring in outside help to look into the Grand Jury allegations.”
A few days later, Mayor Ruth Asmundson expressed her concern for the situation:
“I was really surprised and concerned that there’s something amiss in our fire department.”
The California Aggie finds both Mayor Pro Tem Don Saylor and Councilmember Stephen Souza responding for the first time.
Mr. Saylor:
“The grand jury report contains several very serious allegations about practices within the Davis Fire Department. I support the city manager’s independent review of these allegations to determine the accuracy of the charges and guide any necessary corrections or other actions.”
Mr. Souza:
“The allegations about activities by some in the Davis Fire Department need to be investigated by an independent source like the ombudsman to substantiate or exonerate those individuals… I am very pleased that the city manager has initiated the hiring of an independent investigator and a report to the council will follow.”
In a release last Monday, City Manager Bill Emlen stated his goals for the investigation:
- Be clear to the public that we are committed to a thorough, objective evaluation of the Grand Jury’s report.
- Be clear to all sources that we will retain their confidentiality in bringing information forward.
- Ensure that those affected in the report are treated fairly and in an impartial manner.
Robert Aaronson as we mentioned last week now undertakes his first major assignment since being named Ombudsman just under two years ago.
For more information on Mr. Aaronson, please see an early Vanguard story from September of 2006: Aaronson handed down major finding in a police spying investigation.
Also see the Vanguard’s August 2007 interview with him.
For the full story on the Grand Jury Report, please click here.
—Doug Paul Davis reporting
Let’s hope a thorough investigation takes place. Perhaps Aaronson should speak with the Grand Jury to get access to those who testified. It’s important that anonimoty be assured.
Has anyone noticed the PR attempts by the Enterprise for the Davis Fire Dept?
Let’s hope a thorough investigation takes place. Perhaps Aaronson should speak with the Grand Jury to get access to those who testified. It’s important that anonimoty be assured.
Has anyone noticed the PR attempts by the Enterprise for the Davis Fire Dept?
Let’s hope a thorough investigation takes place. Perhaps Aaronson should speak with the Grand Jury to get access to those who testified. It’s important that anonimoty be assured.
Has anyone noticed the PR attempts by the Enterprise for the Davis Fire Dept?
Let’s hope a thorough investigation takes place. Perhaps Aaronson should speak with the Grand Jury to get access to those who testified. It’s important that anonimoty be assured.
Has anyone noticed the PR attempts by the Enterprise for the Davis Fire Dept?
“Perhaps Aaronson should speak with the Grand Jury to get access to those who testified.”
That’s illegal.
“Perhaps Aaronson should speak with the Grand Jury to get access to those who testified.”
That’s illegal.
“Perhaps Aaronson should speak with the Grand Jury to get access to those who testified.”
That’s illegal.
“Perhaps Aaronson should speak with the Grand Jury to get access to those who testified.”
That’s illegal.
It may be fairly tricky then to find out the names of those who spoke with under assurance that they would remain anonymous.
Whater method he uses that is legal and transparent will be the best for all parties involved.
Best wishes to Mr. Aaronson.
It may be fairly tricky then to find out the names of those who spoke with under assurance that they would remain anonymous.
Whater method he uses that is legal and transparent will be the best for all parties involved.
Best wishes to Mr. Aaronson.
It may be fairly tricky then to find out the names of those who spoke with under assurance that they would remain anonymous.
Whater method he uses that is legal and transparent will be the best for all parties involved.
Best wishes to Mr. Aaronson.
It may be fairly tricky then to find out the names of those who spoke with under assurance that they would remain anonymous.
Whater method he uses that is legal and transparent will be the best for all parties involved.
Best wishes to Mr. Aaronson.
“It may be fairly tricky then to find out the names of those who spoke with under assurance that they would remain anonymous.”
If the folks within the DFD who complained to the GJ want something to change, then they will need to speak up to Aaronson. It is as simple as that. If they are now unwilling to speak, after having caused all this ruckus, then it will be business as usual at the firehouse.
“It may be fairly tricky then to find out the names of those who spoke with under assurance that they would remain anonymous.”
If the folks within the DFD who complained to the GJ want something to change, then they will need to speak up to Aaronson. It is as simple as that. If they are now unwilling to speak, after having caused all this ruckus, then it will be business as usual at the firehouse.
“It may be fairly tricky then to find out the names of those who spoke with under assurance that they would remain anonymous.”
If the folks within the DFD who complained to the GJ want something to change, then they will need to speak up to Aaronson. It is as simple as that. If they are now unwilling to speak, after having caused all this ruckus, then it will be business as usual at the firehouse.
“It may be fairly tricky then to find out the names of those who spoke with under assurance that they would remain anonymous.”
If the folks within the DFD who complained to the GJ want something to change, then they will need to speak up to Aaronson. It is as simple as that. If they are now unwilling to speak, after having caused all this ruckus, then it will be business as usual at the firehouse.
“If the folks within the DFD who complained to the GJ want something to change, then they will need to speak up to Aaronson.”
When someone speaks before the GJ, normally that person is called by the grand jury. He doesn’t usually request to present information.
You’re right to suggest any of the GJ witnesses could approach Aaronson. But it’s not the case that they necessarily initiated their testimony.
“If the folks within the DFD who complained to the GJ want something to change, then they will need to speak up to Aaronson.”
When someone speaks before the GJ, normally that person is called by the grand jury. He doesn’t usually request to present information.
You’re right to suggest any of the GJ witnesses could approach Aaronson. But it’s not the case that they necessarily initiated their testimony.
“If the folks within the DFD who complained to the GJ want something to change, then they will need to speak up to Aaronson.”
When someone speaks before the GJ, normally that person is called by the grand jury. He doesn’t usually request to present information.
You’re right to suggest any of the GJ witnesses could approach Aaronson. But it’s not the case that they necessarily initiated their testimony.
“If the folks within the DFD who complained to the GJ want something to change, then they will need to speak up to Aaronson.”
When someone speaks before the GJ, normally that person is called by the grand jury. He doesn’t usually request to present information.
You’re right to suggest any of the GJ witnesses could approach Aaronson. But it’s not the case that they necessarily initiated their testimony.
The best thing to do is to interview every current employee and every past employee for the last 3 years. That way there is a shield of not knowing who said what, but know everyone talked to him. Email’s should be provided as well as all records available without red tape.
The best thing to do is to interview every current employee and every past employee for the last 3 years. That way there is a shield of not knowing who said what, but know everyone talked to him. Email’s should be provided as well as all records available without red tape.
The best thing to do is to interview every current employee and every past employee for the last 3 years. That way there is a shield of not knowing who said what, but know everyone talked to him. Email’s should be provided as well as all records available without red tape.
The best thing to do is to interview every current employee and every past employee for the last 3 years. That way there is a shield of not knowing who said what, but know everyone talked to him. Email’s should be provided as well as all records available without red tape.
“Whater method he uses…”?? What is this, alluding to water boarding?
I was also wondering where in the GJ report it claimed “many of whom went to great lengths to avoid discovery…” I saw ONE, repeat ONE person with that claim in the report. Since when did one become many? I understand three as a few but let’s be real. This is how the facts get skewed on this blog so keep it straight.
“Whater method he uses…”?? What is this, alluding to water boarding?
I was also wondering where in the GJ report it claimed “many of whom went to great lengths to avoid discovery…” I saw ONE, repeat ONE person with that claim in the report. Since when did one become many? I understand three as a few but let’s be real. This is how the facts get skewed on this blog so keep it straight.
“Whater method he uses…”?? What is this, alluding to water boarding?
I was also wondering where in the GJ report it claimed “many of whom went to great lengths to avoid discovery…” I saw ONE, repeat ONE person with that claim in the report. Since when did one become many? I understand three as a few but let’s be real. This is how the facts get skewed on this blog so keep it straight.
“Whater method he uses…”?? What is this, alluding to water boarding?
I was also wondering where in the GJ report it claimed “many of whom went to great lengths to avoid discovery…” I saw ONE, repeat ONE person with that claim in the report. Since when did one become many? I understand three as a few but let’s be real. This is how the facts get skewed on this blog so keep it straight.
Facts skewed on this blog? Misrepresentation or misleading statements on this blog by DAVID GREENWALD?
You’ve got to be kidding……
Facts skewed on this blog? Misrepresentation or misleading statements on this blog by DAVID GREENWALD?
You’ve got to be kidding……
Facts skewed on this blog? Misrepresentation or misleading statements on this blog by DAVID GREENWALD?
You’ve got to be kidding……
Facts skewed on this blog? Misrepresentation or misleading statements on this blog by DAVID GREENWALD?
You’ve got to be kidding……