Follow-Up Comment on Prior Arcadia Article
By Dieter Dammeier
Lackie, Dammeier & McGill
Most of you will recall the article in the December issue of The PORAC News detailing a case in which attorneys Andrew Dawson and Michael McGill from Lackie, Dammeier & McGill prevailed in litigation against the City of Arcadia with respect to a Lieutenant that was terminated. With the printing of this article, many POA members from Arcadia felt it a little harsh against their Police Chief, Bob Sanderson. In looking a little closer at the investigation, it appears that Chief Sanderson had little or nothing to do with it. The investigation was initiated by the terminated Lieutenant himself when he complained to his captain about his ex-wife’s inappropriate conduct. It was the City’s outside attorney, who used questionable investigatory tactics in order to justify the termination of Lieutenant Harper, while this outside attorney was sleeping with Harper’s ex-wife.
It tells me something about Chief Sanderson that his rank and file police officers are there to stand up for him when someone speaks critically of one of his actions. As you know, such a level of respect is rarely given and very hard to earn. In retrospect I am not surprised by Arcadia officers defending their Chief. He has publically defended them at every opportunity. The most recent example is the POA’s last negotiations, where the Chief even stood up for his guys in direct conflict with his boss, the now former City Manager. Despite the potential negative impact to his future career at Arcadia, he did not back down to the then-City Manager’s demands that he help him in his battle with the POA. There is little doubt in my mind that this was a pivotal factor in the POA obtaining a record-breaking contract that they are enjoying today.
I congratulate Chief Sanderson on doing what most Chiefs find difficult to achieve: He has obtained the true respect, appreciation and admiration of his police officers.