Return to Article: Park Police chief suspended after citing budget, staffing problems
-
2657
Everyone is missing the point here. It is sooo obvious that it is just an excuse that discussing the budget is the reason for her suspension. There is something very wrong here. Isn't anyone questioning the fact that the punishment seriously doesn't fit the crime? When they want to "get rid" of someone, they will try and use the lamest excuse to do so. There is much more involved here, it is the tip of the iceberg. "People" wanted her out for a reason. We need to dig to find out what that reason is and who is involved and why. Is there anyone interested in investigating the situation to get to the root? I can promise you this, there IS a big story here, and there are many involved.
-
2556
Having worked with Chief Chambers for nearly 4 years, I would stake my reputation on the fact that she did not intentionally violate any Federal rule or any other rules. I know how she operates, I know her chacter and I know she is incapable of doing what the NPS is trying to accuse her of.
Having been in law enforcement myself for over 30 years, 10 of those in top administration, the manner in which she was suspended (under armed guard, taking her weapon, ID and other equipment) is only used in cases where an officer has committed a serious crime or has indicated that he or she is of danger to himself or others. To use this method on Chief Chambers is nothing short of harrassment and humiliation. (they are still looking for the reason)
The Administration at the DOI and NPS are not untouchable, and their dirty little secrets are about to be exposed. Right will prevail, I just hope they can recognize it when it comes. They have motivated thousands of individuals from the grassroots level to Congress to become involved in Chief Chambers' plight.
-
2478
The current national leadership group of the NPS has been nothing short of a disaster since day one and this is only the latest example. Both Mainella and Murphy are political appointees who came out of the Florida and California state park systems respectively. What they know about managing national parks, and the National Park Service, could fit on the head of a pin with room left over for the Lord's Prayer. They have nothing but contempt for career employees and you'd have to dig a hole to find the morale in this agency now. They are regarded in the field units as nothing more than dangerous, ignorant jokes and surround themselves with failed field "leaders" who would do just about anything for a high grade and a title. They are a disgrace to what used to be one of the very best government agencies to work for and one that most employees took great pride in their association with. Both should be exposed, publically humiliated and fired. What's good for the goose... God bless Theresa Chambers for telling the truth!
-
2477
If you think our country enjoys freedom of speech, think again. This article will tell you that you don't.
A sad day for what we used to have, freedom.
-
2463
Well, we certainly wouldn't want the truth to get out, now would we? Actually, Chamber's treatment is pretty typical of the Bush admnistration's treatment of most of his female appointments to date. They are there purely for show. They are there to be "spoken to" and not to "speak" themselves, unless it is to parrot the approved dialogue of this administration. So much for freedom of speech.
-
2457
What the Park Svc Director has done should result in his removal (maybe in the same gestapo manner he used on Chief Chambers.) NPS and the Rangers are a dedicated group of professional lawmen trying to do thier job in spite of management. What has happened in execusable and NPS should not be allowed to get away with it. They make promises to Congress and then stifle dissent by retribution against anyone who exposes dificincies and submits recommendations for improvement. There is no room in the Fed. Govt for the current NPS Management. How have they been getting away with this all these years. Finally someone spoke out with the truth and NPS did a public lynching and humiliation. Kill the messenger syndrome still exists in NPS. Greatly disappointed in Secy. Norton in letting this happen and then copping out by saying "its being handled at a lower level."
-
2451
The interesting thing is what Chief Chambers said is not new. The Department of the Interior Inspector General identified the lack of staffing and support as a huge problem. You know what the NPS is going to do now - make the Park Police pay for another study (out of their budget) and then do nothing about it.
I believe Congress has funded around six studies and reports on the NPS Law Enforcement program (includes LE Rangers and Park Police) When is Congress going to demand action on those studies?
-
2429
The previous statements from other federal employees are on target! I find it both amazing and distressing that the Director of the National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior are failing miserably in performing their duty to protect the nations most significant natural/cultural heritage resources, that they have reported a message with spin to the American people regarding the status of parks resources, and they continue to ignore science, reverse decisions, and play cat/mouse games. These officials still hold office and yet, Ms. Chambers is disciplined? Here we have a highly dedicated, highly qualified career employee who spoke the truth when asked to, has not broken any laws or policies, and she is disciplined. Last September, the Administration and SOI received a scathing letter from retired NPS directors, regional directors and superintendent outlining how current policies are harming parks. A few weeks ago two NPS rangers participated in a news conference to discuss the results of a poll that revealed employee concerns that resources were becoming impaired, etc. No doubt, this disciplinary action against Ms. Chambers is to put a stop to employees from asserting their first amendment rights! "You are either with us, or against us" is the administrations mantra, not "tell us what we need to do better?" Where oh where is our democracy?
-
2428
This is a travesty of the greatest order.
The situation requires congressional oversight and leadership immediately, and without delay.
Is there no one in our system of government to right this wrong?
-
2406
Outrageous behavior at the top by political appointees more concerned about the re-election of the President than running an agency. Muzzling the Chief over such comments is embarrassing at best, Orwellian at its worst. So much for freedom of speech. Hey Murphy, if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen! Murphy - be sure and start a web site. I'll be glad to contribute to your defense fund. Consider getting backing from organizations concerned with Women in Government and Women in Law Enforcment - you have a good case.
-
2403
Someone at the National Park Service has made a huge, career threating mistake. However, it wasn't Park Police Chief Teresa C. Chambers. Rather, it was Don Murphy. By placing Chief Chambers on administrative leave, he's drawn the embarassing attention to the Park Service. Chief Chambers only drew attention.
The allegation of broken rules is such an obvious knee jerk political reaction as to be laughable. The refusable to provide a copy of the supposed rules (as opposed to the actual rules) borders on sheer stupidity. It's public information. You really don't have a choise there Don. To infer otherwise takes away from your credibility when you need it most. You should have used something like the "Patriot Act" or "In the interests of National Security". We all still know it's pretty lame, but at least it sounds good. You should be thinking "Damage Control" Bunky.
-
2400
How willing are We the People to give up our rights (and others) in order to secure safety? Who benefits, while liberty degradates, from our emotional reactions in order to secure safety? Read Washingtons farewell address...his warnings are worth the read.
-
2389
I saw the previous comment that the administration is stupid.
They are anything but stupid. The scary part of all of this is that knowing that silencing the Chief of the National Park Service Police would get great media attention, they didn't care in doing it anyway. This shows a level of hubris that is not stupid but very, very scary for our democratic principles and for maintaining the Republic. When an administration decides it is so powerful that it can destroy separation of powers as they did recently in Congress and eliminate their civil service critics by suspensions and firings on trumped up charges-- that has me very worried. It would be a shame to bring democracy to Afganistan and Iraq and to lose it at home.
On a better note I wish the Police Chief all the luck in the world in her fight against this administration retaliation as a whistleblower. As a former whistleblower, I know she will have a tough battle and need all of our support. I believe the Department of Interior has committed a prohibited personnel practice in retaliating against a whistleblower who simply raised budget concerns about the Park Police. The politicals who are out to destroy her career and who take their cue from such a religious President should have a drop more humility.
-
2382
Chief Chambers should be reinstated immediately, without penalty. Exercise of one's rights under the first amendment is not an indictable offense or even a lapse of judgment. For a public official to openly discuss the challenges of their department takes courage in today's environment. To order a gag, on the premise that the budget is still in play, is a transparent denial of basic rights. Just as the budget is never settled, so too must the fight for those rights never cease. Pity that we seem to be doing rather better overseas than at home.
-
2381
The leadership of the National Park Service first recruits highly talented and enthusiastic managers such as Chief Chambers, then proceeds to order them to keep quiet, lie about conditions, and continue to make the Director and Deputy Director (political appointees)look good. The first time a person shows initiative and takes a legitimate "poke" at how the National Park Service is being managed, then they get "silenced". Congress should be taking a very close look at the Director and Deputy Director and what they have done to destroy the morale, commitment, and support of the employees of the NPS as well as lying to the public and Congress about the real conditions. It has gone nowhere but downhill since Mainella and Murphy were appointed. Someone should suspend them!
-
2380
Amazing, a leadership that is that stupid and proud of it!
-
2377
This is pretty scary, but not surprising given our current administration. And yet we claim to be exporting "democracy" to the rest of the world? How ironic!
-
2372
This situation is absolutely ridiculous! The lady should talk about her budget and manpower problems and DoI should learn to face the press with the facts. If we fired everyone that talked about budget and manpower problems we would have to get rid of a lot of Generals and Admirals because they always are crying about their budgets and manpower. I think the press, GAO and the DoI should check the background of the person that recalled the Chief and see why they want the new Chief (acting) to take over from the woman. I bet there is discrimination involved in this issue. The DoI management had better be perfectly clean on this one because they now really have stepped in it! Even the President's office should investigate this one openly and give the press full disclosure.
-
2369
I don't think the Chief meant any harm in her budget discussion. She didn't go into detail and in my opinion placed no jeopardy on the Park Police. I don't think she should have been suspended.
-
2368
Interesting that Chief Chambers is being censured when she was told to respond to media questions with no guidance. Also interesting that numerous of the National Park Managers and superintendents have commented publicly about budget and staffing shortfalls and they still have jobs. Even more interesting that Park superintendents have been arrested and have plea deals and still have jobs. This 'gaff' seems minor compared to some of the major problems the Park Service has.
PROMO RIGHT: EVENTS
UPCOMING WEBINARS
NOVEMBER 18
Speed bumps for Teleworking: What are they and how to avoid them?
DECEMBER 3
Achieve Program Success: Unlock the Management Information in Your Data
DECEMBER 10
Practical Transparency: Applying Exchange Networks for Mission Results
PROMO RIGHT: DIRECTORIES
Post a Comment
To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this Service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Government Executive does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.