PLEA was recently made aware of the fact that PPD Commander Robert Handy was one of two finalists in the selection process for the San Bernardino Police Chiefs position. PLEA felt that in the interest of full disclosure that certain information should be made available to the police labor group as well as select City officials in San Bernardino. This prompted news outlets in the San Bernardino to seek additional information from PLEA.
CLICK HERE to read the complaint authored by former PPD Lt. now Mesa Asst. Chief Heston Silbert which was forwarded to San Bernardino officials.
CLICK HERE to read the misconduct complaint letter authored by PLEA along with department response which was forwarded to San Bernardino.
CLICK HERE to read a recent article published by the The Sun newspaper in San Bernardino.
CLICK HERE to read a recent article published by the Press Enterprise newspaper out of San Bernardino.
The following E-mail communication was sent by PLEA to City government officials in San Bernnardino.
Tanya,
My name is Mark Spencer and I’m the President of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA). PLEA represents over 2200 Phoenix Police Officers and Detectives. I contacted the City Manager’s office (909.384.5122) and was given your email address to pass on the attached information.
What prompts this email is a phone call I just received from Iraq. Former (retired) Phoenix Police Officer Lisa Rauch works a K9 in a front line capacity in that country. She mentioned dodging mortar attacks several days ago. Lisa took the time to call me and communicated that she was contacted by an investigator from our Professional Standards Bureau (internal affairs). The content of this phone call focused on the concern that an allegation of misconduct against Phoenix Police Commander Rob Handy by Mesa Assistant Police Chief Heston Silbert was purposely being held up so as to assist Handy in the police chief process in San Bernardino. Lisa was a witness in this internal administrative investigation.
As you can see below, we notified the police labor leadership in San Bernardino of our unease prior to receiving the aforementioned phone call. PLEA has great concerns about the allegations brought forth against Handy and feels that it is in the best interest of San Bernardino to be aware of these issues (we call this “full disclosure” in Phoenix). Any person vying for an important leadership position in your police department should be above reproach. PLEA would be negligent of our commitment to police labor (not only in Arizona but nationally) by failing to disclose decision-making practices and alleged management motives of Handy.
If we can be of any further assistance in your selection process, please feel free to contact us. Please be aware that I copied this contact to our City Manager, David Cavazos.
Sincerely,
MARK SPENCER
PLEA President