On Sunday, the Mesa Police Association called out Mayor John Giles for releasing the results of a survey that shows the level of disdain officers have for Chief Ramon Batista. The Association began an assessment of the Chief which is expected to culminate in a confidence vote on May 17.
In February, the Mesa Police Association (MPA) accused Batista of taking “what was once one of the best and most effective crime fighting police departments in the country and demoralized it.”
The Association said “an epic failure of leadership” prompted the survey and decision to hold a confidence vote.
The Mesa Police Association posted the following on Facebook:
Over the last few days our phones and emails have been blowing up with questions and requests from pretty much every media outlet there is. “We did not initiate any of this, in fact we did everything we could to prevent this public discussion until Chief Batista was given the survey results by City leaders and then disseminated it to numerous people.”
It was more than likely inevitable that the information was going to be publicized but we were deeply disappointed and felt betrayed by Mayor Giles for going against our wishes to hold off on showing anyone the results.
Now that the information is out there for the world to see, we are getting more and more responses and participants in the confidence/no confidence vote. Maybe that media explosion is what some needed to motivate them.
Unfortunately Chief Batista and some members of high ranks have attempted to discredit the 42 page survey and challenge your credibility as participants. Some felt the survey should just be ignored with the hopes that we will go away. Others are claiming the results are just plain old lies and delusions. The comments made to the media that members took the survey numerous times to sway the results are laughable. The analogy of an ostrich sticking their head in the sand comes to mind.
Page 1 of the survey report specifically says, “Survey data was checked for irregularities and DUPLICATE RESPONSES”. This means that the professional and highly respected public relations firm verified the survey was not taken multiple times from the same IP address.
Shame on you Chief Batista and any other person of rank who is pushing this ridiculous claim! To ignore the pages and pages of disturbing comments from your employees and blame the decaying morale on them and the MPA shows your epic failure in leading this organization.
During every disciplinary matter we represent a member that made an unintentional or even intentional mistake, we hear members of rank asking to see them accept responsibility. They are directed to throw themselves on the sword and even then, it’s not good enough for certain adjudicators.
The double standard must stop if you want to regain any respect from the workers here, the ones who truly make this community safe.
Chief Batista has created the hard line of “Us verses Them” and ignores the real issues destroying the Mesa Police Department.
When the vote is complete we will accept the data provided and act on that, whether it be continuing down this path or ending this discussion.
Hopefully Chief Batista has enough integrity to do the same.
On Friday afternoon, Bastita issued the following statement:
“We are aware that a labor organization — working with a marketing firm — has initiated a poll of our officers. It is important to remember that their agenda does not represent the entire Mesa Police Department.
I’m committed to leading this department and I stand by my officers as they carry out their duties to protect and serve this city. The support from our community could not have been made clearer as they passed a public safety sales tax to ensure we have the staffing and equipment to keep them safe.
I’m also very proud that the backing from our city’s elected officials is second to none. Each member continues to show their unwavering support; most recently, Mayor and council attended our Employee Quarterly Awards and helped us honor our Fallen Officers.
As a result of several years of incredible work, Mesa is now recognized as one of the safest large cities in America. Our crime rates are at historic lows.
I am proud to serve the residents of the City of Mesa as the Police Chief, and I am honored to lead the great men and women of the Mesa Police Department, those who work day and night to protect our community, these are the reasons I love my profession.”
Later on Friday Giles and the City Council released a joint statement:
“The mayor and Mesa City Council fully support the brave women and men of the Mesa Police Department, including Chief Batista and his leadership team. The tireless work of our officers has brought Mesa’s crime level to historic lows and made it one of the safest big cities in America.”