Chief Landy Black’s first inclination was to let the past be the past in response to comments by Former Davis Police Chief and current Antioch Police Jim Hyde in the magazine 110°.
Chief Black strongly defended his department and the people that work under him from these false characterizations:
“The people Chief Hyde demeaned through the article’s mischaracterizations are, for the most part, the same people whom I work with now. As a group, they are hard working, honorable professionals. In the two plus years that I have been with the Davis PD I have been made proud by their enthusiasm and integrity. Not only their enthusiasm to simply perform the demanding job of policing in the 21st century, but enthusiasm about continuously seeking ways to improve themselves, the department, and this community. Reno 911 characters–not a chance.
Any Chief would be proud to work with the members of the Davis PD. When the Davis PD claims success and garners the community accolades that I’ve seen, it is due to the efforts of these fine people whom, for some inexplicable reason, Chief Hyde holds in disdain. I’m disappointed and at a loss to understand why Chief Hyde would characterize and embarrass his former comrades, or allow it to happen in his name.”
The author of the article has refused to return calls and emails from the Vanguard. However, he did have one of his associates request that a photo of Chief Hyde appearing in the magazine be removed from the Vanguard which we complied with.
The photo which appears with Chief Hyde drawing his weapon is rather telling as is the lead caption that reads:
“A man of integrity and vision is at the helm of the Antioch Police Department. Jim Hyde has the required experience and training – plus, he has the cheerful confidence that instills confidence, together with an attitude of service and sacrifice.”
One has to wonder how a man of integrity would denigrate the individuals who served him as Chief in the city of Davis.
—David M. Greenwald reporting
Kudos to Chief Black!
It’s good to know we [u]now[/u] have a true professional at the helm who is a man of integrity and respect. It must not be a coincidence that the number of complaints and problems with our officers have decreased since Landy Black came to town.
I wonder – since Mr. Hyde (certainly not Dr. Jeckyll) is willing to talk trash about the Davis officers he led, and about the “jerks” he worked for at the Sacramento PD – he seems to never speak well of where he has been. It seems to me that he will eventually trash talk Antioch PD officers, too. They oughta be wearing their kevlar vests whenever he is behind them!
No, I am not a police officer. Just an observer from afar.
Agree!
As Davis police chief, Jim Hyde was a failure. When he became chief the community was looking for his leadership to heal and repair our police department from the divisions caused by the Jerry Gonzales/Nick Concolino/DPOA debacle and also most importantly to be a bridge to every segment of our community to improve community relations with the department. Everyone I know wished Jim Hyde success.
Unfortunately by the end of Jim Hyde’s tenure it had become apparent that he was not providing the leadership within the department nor in the community that one would expect from a seasoned officer or leader hired to be a police chief. Hyde talked about this ability to bridge differences and use his psychological training and organizational skills to better our police and community. Yet Hyde was insular, could not handle criticism and frankly was absent from work and from our community a great deal of time. Jim was not vested in our community—he was simply passing through. From what I witnessed he played people off against one another. He waged political warfare against citizens whom he disagreed with and several of his senior managers and officers pandered to him by following suit. Instead of building community and protecting the community he was sowing the seeds of dissension and mistrust. In his mind he could do no wrong and those that disagreed were in his words “dysfunctional.”
His lack of leadership during the Buzayan matter was a colossal failing. His inability to acknowledge and correct any mistakes committed by his department and him once again divided our community—worse than ever before. His personal attacks on citizens and community leaders who were concerned about racial profiling and human relations was inflammatory, re-stoked the fires of distrust and once again divided the police department and our community.
Jim Hyde never respected the community he was sworn to serve and now we know from his own words that he did not respect the people he was hired to lead.
If the DPD under Hyde were buffoons and incompetent, but under Chief Black are excellent professionals, logic tells me the failure was of leadership. Hyde had none!
“The author of the article has refused to return calls and emails from the Vanguard. However, he did have one of his associates request that a photo of Chief Hyde appearing in the magazine be removed from the Vanguard which we complied with.”
DPD, if the magazine in question published the picture of Chief Hyde they asked you to pull, why would they be upset bc you published it? I don’t get their logic. And why did you honor their request? By the way, I loved your substitute photo – it is a very good likeness of Chief Hyde!
“One has to wonder how a man of integrity would denigrate the individuals who served him as Chief in the city of Davis.”
There may be a circumstance where a “man of integrity” may possibly have to denigrate another person to preserve that integrity. Most assuredly, it is never appropriate to forfeit professional integrity simply to prevent offending others?
Suppose for a moment that Hyde’s comments regarding the work behavior of the department during his tenure were true. There was a specific allegation, for example, that crime statistics were altered to present a favorable public image. That is a very serious charge. Have we heard any specific denials from DPD? Was a request for response by the Department ever asked, by anybody?
This is really juicy stuff, a blogger’s delight. But, instead, the sole focus on this blog continues to be the tiresome monotonous personal assault on Hyde’s personality and leadership. What we should do now is measure Chief Hyde’s truthfulness, if we dare.
“Hyde bashing” is much fun on this site, but suppose Hyde’s accusations presented in a very public format were true? If this web site lays claim to a standard of integrity, why doesn’t it call for an official investigation like it has before in other controversies?
Perhaps there is a greater fear in play; Hyde may be vindicated.
Speaking of really juicy stuff. Are you the same Phil Coleman who was the police chief from 1989 to 1996 for the city of Davis and had to resign following being reprimanded for sexual harassment of female police employees—twice? And didn’t the city of Davis had to settle a number of civil complaints based on that behavior? In short, if you are the same Phil Coleman, aren’t you about the last person with the standing to weigh in on this topic?
Dear Curious:
Wrong on all points raised. Nice try, though, on a common tactic known as “deflection.”
My points raised remain as stated.
Great article David. Chief Landy Black is a much better Chief and is more professional than Jim Hyde. I bet money that Hyde doesn’t last that long. It’s just a matter of time before the justice system has enough of him. It’s officers like him that give law enforcement a bad name. I’m glad we have a new Chief.
To Curious: If the Phil Coleman that wrote the comment earlier is the same Phil Coleman that used to work for the Davis PD he has little to talk about. You are correct, it was former Chief Phil Coleman who resigned after being reprimanded for sexual harassment of female police employees. As a matter of fact the city of Davis did settle several civil complaints brought on by Coleman’s inappropriate behavior. They sure know how to pick ’em, huh?
Responding to the Phil Coleman who stated on this blog:
“Wrong on all points raised. Nice try, though, on a common tactic known as ‘deflection.’ My points raised remain as stated.”
1. Phil Coleman—if you are the former Davis chief of police you are not telling the truth. If you are the former Davis chief of police speaking of “deflection”—you just employed the very tactic yourself which is typical of a person not willing to deal with his own culpability and hypocrisy.
2. Phil Coleman—if you are the same Davis chief of police you did not answer the questions posed by “Curious.” The questions were:
a.“Are you the same Phil Coleman who was the police chief from 1989 to 1996 for the city of Davis”?
b.And are you the same Phil Coleman who “had to resign following being reprimanded for sexual harassment of female police employees—twice?”
c.“And didn’t the city of Davis have to settle a number of civil complaints based on that behavior?”
d.“In short, if you are the same Phil Coleman, aren’t you about the last person with the standing to weigh in on this topic?”
If this is the same Phil Coleman who is the former police chief of the city of Davis you were IN FACT dismissed for sexual harassment of female police employees. After the first incident you were disciplined. After the second incident you were forced to retire. It was officially determined that you had an inability to respect personal boundaries in your behavior towards female employees. For sure, to save you and the department and the community the embarrassment of a public airing of your dirty laundry you were allowed to retire. But make no mistake had you not retired you would have been fired. Your misconduct cost the city of Davis tens of thousands of dollars to remedy the mess you created and the City was not about to allow you a third bite at that apple. You brought shame and disruption to the department and you cost the citizens of Davis a pretty penny. And evidently like Jim Hyde you Phil Coleman have an enormous blind spot to your own misconduct and unprofessional behavior displaying the same sort of arrogance Hyde was notorious for.
3. Phil Coleman—whether you are or not the former Davis police chief let us examine your thinking on the matter at hand.
Phil Coleman you state: “There may be a circumstance where a “man of integrity” may possibly have to denigrate another person to preserve that integrity. Most assuredly, it is never appropriate to forfeit professional integrity simply to prevent offending others? “
I disagree because a professional manager should never castigate or demean his/her employees in a public setting even if they are in fact wrong, let alone in a magazine article published three years after he left as the head of that department. This conduct by Hyde who describes himself as an “organizational expert” and a “psychologist” is dumbfounding. Hyde publically denigrates his entire former department and you Phil Coleman are doing the same by defending his unprofessional behavior.
Phil Coleman you state: “Suppose for a moment that Hyde’s comments regarding the work behaviour of the department during his tenure were true. There was a specific allegation, for example, that crime statistics were altered to present a favorable public image. That is a very serious charge. Have we heard any specific denials from DPD? Was a request for response by the Department ever asked, by anybody?”
I agree, Jim Hyde makes a very “serious charge” against his former colleagues and the department he led. Hyde is essentially accusing them of fraud. Again, I question why Hyde chooses to make his allegations in public three years after his departure. Who benefits from this? From my vantage point he looks completely self serving, showing no respect to the department he once led or the community he was supposed to serve. Your statement itself is revealing considering that Jim Hyde was police chief for three years and you yourself were most likely the police chief here for six years. If Hyde’s claims were true, did Jim Hyde deal with these issues? Did he inform his superiors the two city managers he worked for or the city council itself? Did Jim Hyde discipline anyone or did anyone lose their job due to behavior he accuses them of? Why don’t you, Phil Coleman (most likely the former police chief) write a formal letter to the City requesting this information or better yet come on down to a city council meeting and publically request it of our elected leaders.
Phil Coleman you state: “This is really juicy stuff, a blogger’s delight. But, instead, the sole focus on this blog continues to be the tiresome monotonous personal assault on Hyde’s personality and leadership. What we should do now is measure Chief Hyde’s truthfulness, if we dare.”
Yes let us “measure Hyde’s truthfulness” and we can begin by having you Phil Coleman formally request an investigation by the City of Jim Hyde’s accusations against the police department. Phil, why don’t you invite Hyde back to Davis to make his charges directly to the faces of those he accuses?
Phil Coleman you state: “‘Hyde bashing’ is much fun on this site, but suppose Hyde’s accusations presented in a very public format were true? If this web site lays claim to a standard of integrity, why doesn’t it call for an official investigation like it has before in other controversies?
Let Jim Hyde prove that his charges are true. It is customary for those in law enforcement that accuse others to prove their allegations. By all means Phil, step up to the plate, show leadership and request that Jim Hyde’s charges be proven true or false, beginning with Hyde himself. You can assist him to prove his allegations since you have lots of time on your hands due to the lucrative retirement you are living off of which you preserved by retiring instead of getting fired.
Phil Coleman you state: “Perhaps there is a greater fear in play; Hyde may be vindicated.”
Once again you and Jim Hyde should prove the charges and by all means let the truth come out big guy.
Or to put all of this more succinctly, Jim Hyde has had a nasty habit of giving “parting shots” at a time when those accused don’t really have the opportunity to defend themselves. Hyde did this in regard to the Buzayan case, and he is doing it here. How does a police officer defend himself, when Hyde accuses the entire force of being a joke? Such charges are loaded hyperbole not worth the effort of answering – and that loaded hyperbole is also known as “hot air” – a parting shot from behind, if you catch my drift!
Two former Davis police chiefs publically attacking the department they once commanded, doing so years after their departures. Just amazing! It is troubling to think that Hyde and Coleman both of whom clearly exhibit dysfunction and an inability for introspection were once in charge of the Davis police department. It must have been challenging to work under these two guys.
I don’t get it? Jim Hyde uses the media to build himself up by disparaging his former colleagues and making absurd claims such as depicting his former department as a real life Reno 911? This coming from a self-described behavioral and organizational specialist and a man who has been chief of police in two communities? Disturbing.
Hyde’s behavior is not a surprise. He did the same thing to the Davis community as he was walking out the door.
Whew! Let there be great froth and salivating!!! This is…QUITE JUICY!
Don’t be a player hater, Phil has blogged here before. Welcome back aboard Phil you old Navy salt. Way to get in some constitutional licks!
I like the cut of your jib past and present.
Good to know Old Skool Davis is a comrade in arms with the Davis version of “Tailhook”—Phil Coleman. Just like those “old Navy salts” who loved molesting young women officers at the annual “Tailhook” conventions of old, Old Skool Davis celebrates his old buddy Phil Coleman. Yes, Phil Coleman has played here before. But this time he has shown his true colors just like those perverted Naval officers who could not fathom that they had done anything wrong assaulting young female sailors. “Why its tradition, my good man!” Or “Can’t these females follow orders.” There is nothing “constitutional” about Phil Coleman or his comments other than he is free to make his statements and reveal the fool he is. Phil Coleman is simply a man with blinders on (like Jim Hyde who he defends) who could not then or now admit to himself that he was a out of line at the police department and his conduct was unbecoming an officer or employer of any kind. Well at least Phil Coleman can say he was dealt the same fate as the Naval officers and admirals who were fired and retired due to their misconduct and dereliction of duty. As old Navy salts such as Old Skool Davis would describe it: “By George what is all the fuss about? All Phil Coleman and his fellow scallywags did was make them run the gauntlet—it was no big deal!” Fond memories die hard.
Old Skool Davis, Phil Coleman and Jim Hyde need to walk the plank!
“Quite Juicy.” Yes indeed!
The female sailors I know would have kicked Phil Coleman’s and Old Skool Davis’ butts. But then again Phil and Old might have enjoyed it!
We can clearly see the problems that this department had in the past between the behavior of Phil Coleman on this blog and Jim Hyde in a magazine. It’s also nice to contrast that with the dignified and professional behavior of the current chief, Landy Black.
A clear contrast between these two disgruntled former chiefs and the current chief. From all accounts the DPD and the City of Davis are well served by Chief Landy Black.
“By George what is all the fuss about?”
Thank you, may I have another!! LOL!!
L.I.F.E.R.= “LAZY IGNORANT FOOL EXPECTING RETIREMENT”
Ain’t the Lifer’s grand? LOL!!