Replacing the Police Chief Essay Example

strategy faced challenges due to split ideological and decision patterns within the council.

Question 2:

As a city manager, Spanning had administrative authority over Police Chief Johnson. Would it have been appropriate for Spanning to delay the arrest of Randy Redmond until after the council meeting? What would be the advantages and risks of this strategy? If Spanning were to exercise any influence on an impending criminal investigation or arrest, it would be an unlawful and unethical misuse of his authority as city manager.

Delaying the arrest of Redmond, despite its potential to reduce complications with the council advocate's son, would compromise the city manager's professional credibility and go against the commitment to excellence and ethical fairness outlined in the ICMA Code of Ethics. Prioritizing outside influences over these principles would also undermine the character of his leadership and contradict his personal belief in justice and fair treatment.

The ethical implications of deferring Redmond's arrest should be considered, even if it means risking his job in the short term. Despite the threat to Spanning's effectiveness as city manager, it would not be appropriate to ignore these ethical considerations. Similarly, even though Warren's appointment is important for the community's welfare, it would not be appropriate to compromise ethical principles to secure it.

While notions of best ethical practice and best possible outcome may vary depending on individual ideologies, there is a standardized and published code of ethics established by the ICMA. This code aims to ensure consistency and uniformity in professional local government management.

In general, ethical considerations should not be compromised based on an individual or group's perception of what is best for the community. The ICMA Code of Ethics serves as a tangible reference and provides a scale of ethical justice to help weigh conflicting opinions, just like a constitution.

Regarding the situation with Spanning, it is questioned whether he should have contacted Redmond prior to the meeting to discuss his family's problems. Spanning, known for his hard work and successful career in municipal government, understands the importance of upholding a strict code of ethics in one's professional profile.

While job opportunities may come and go, having a reputation for standing firm by ethical principles is invaluable. Although it would be preferable for employment separations to be personal choices rather than terminations, Spanning's impressive resume would qualify him for other positions in local or higher levels of government.

However, if there were any speculation that he was involved in unethical activities regarding personnel appointments or if his alliance with Redmond was not as strong as he believed and news of their contact spread, his professional reputation and public image could be permanently damaged.

Therefore, it would have been inappropriate for him to contact Redmond regarding his son's arrest.

Question 5:

If Spanning chose to postpone the council meeting and find a compromise, what type of compromise could help him achieve his goals and gain approval from the council? The only circumstance in which Spanning could suggest a delay for the council meeting would be if Redmond, due to his son and wife's arrest, could not attend the meeting or would

be unable to make an unbiased decision on police matters while his family faced consequences in the criminal justice system. In such a case, Spanning could argue that holding the meeting at that time would not be beneficial or safe for the community. Otherwise, Spanning would be perceived as acting with a personal agenda if he attempted to delay the meeting.

Question 6: How can Spanning initiate a compromise without appearing weak or contradictory in the public eye, considering his code of ethics, professional reputation, personal values, the political culture in Dover, and his ability to perform his duties as city manager?

Question 7: If Spanning seeks a compromise at this point, what would be the long-term impact on his management ability and authority?In his textbook, Banovetz (Page 224) cites tenet 10 of the ICMA Code of Ethics. The tenet emphasizes the importance of professionals resisting any encroachment on their responsibilities and being able to carry out official policies without interference. It also highlights the significance of handling each problem without discrimination based on principles and justice. This tenet forms the ethical basis for his course of action.

The council's confirmation of Spanning's selection for chief of police raised legitimate concerns. However, compromising on this decision would go against the ICMA Code, specifically tenet #11, which requires him as manager to make personnel decisions based on merit and fairness. Giving in to the council members would undermine his authority and potentially affect his ability to govern future municipal matters. It is important for Spanning to prioritize the welfare and safety of the community by avoiding divisiveness and anarchy within local government and the police department. As

such, he should not seek a compromise for the sake of maintaining his ability to manage the city effectively.In light of ethical concerns, it would be best for the city if Spanning were to allow the criminal justice process to proceed naturally. If this were to negatively impact the confirmation of his desired replacement for the police chief, then he would need to repeat the selection process as outlined in his own recruitment plan.

Works Cited

1. Banovetz, James M. Managing Local Government: Cases in Decision Making 2nd edition International City/County Management Assoiciation., Washington, D. C., 1998.