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Main Page Florida Chief Sends 'Jelly Belly' E-mail, Quits
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: kwflatbed

MERISSA GREEN
Courtesy of The Ledger

WINTER HAVEN, Fla.-- Winter Haven Police Chief Paul Goward resigned unexpectedly Monday in the midst of a department uproar over an e-mail he sent entitled "Are you a Jelly Belly?" that portrayed some of his employees as fat and out of shape.
In a letter to City Manager David Greene, Goward gave no reason for his resignation, which was effective immediately.
"Although, under different circumstances, I would certainly be inclined to provide the traditional two week notice, my resignation is to be considered immediate," Goward wrote in the letter.
Greene on Monday night confirmed the e-mail had led to problems within the department and was a factor in the resignation.
Greene said "emotions within the Police Department and the relationship with the police chief became raw."
"He was a good police chief. He made a number of positive changes in the Police Department," Greene said. "I think the relationship with some of the officers in the department reached an uncomfortable point when he issued the fitness e-mail."
Goward, who served as chief for 2 1/2 years, could not be reached for comment Monday.
Goward sent the "Are You A `Jelly Belly?' " e-mail to employees Oct. 11 and some took offense.
"As I look around the department I see a disconcerting number of us that appear physically challenged with obesity and/or a general lack of physical fitness," Goward's e-mail said. "This is a tremendous concern to me because the literature, to say nothing of common sense, states that if you are obese and/or out of shape you are a predictable liability to yourself, your family, your partner, this department, the city of Winter Haven and the citizens of our city. So, take a good look at yourself."
"If you are unfit, do yourself and everyone else a favor. See a professional about a proper diet and a fitness training program, quit smoking, limit alcohol intake and start thinking self-pride, confidence and respectability. And stop making excuses for delaying what you know you should have been doing years ago. We didn't hire you unfit and we don't want you working unfit. Don't mean to offend, this is just straight talk. I owe it to you."
But some employees were offended.
An anonymous writer who identified himself as a police officer sent a letter to city officials and The Ledger criticizing the email and Goward.
"I have worked for the police department as an officer for a long time and I have never seen such a morale problem like there is and this letter from the chief of police is the icing on the cake," the letter says. "This letter (from Goward) shows the type of harassment and hostile work environment we have. The chief of police is constantly bad talking us in every way possible and we have had enough of his arrogance."
The anonymous letter was sent to city commissioners, Greene and Workforce Services Director Michelle Stayner.
Goward's resignation wasn't mentioned during Monday night's meeting of the Winter Haven City Commission and some commissioners said after the meeting they had just learned of it.
Commissioners generally supported Greene but one questioned whether the apparent forced resignation was the right response to the e-mail.
"I think it was misunderstood by the employees," Commissioner Mike Easterling said. "He's been a good chief and I, personally, would hate to see him go."
But Commissioner Charles Cone called the e-mail "offensive."
"He was a little bit strong. Certainly, there could have been a better way for him to express his desire or put a policy in place," Cone said.
Nat Birdsong, a commissioner who was chosen Monday night as the city's mayor, said he hadn't read the e-mail but supported Greene.
"Apparently, it warrants some type of action. The city manager is responsible for the chief and apparently he (Greene) felt it was necessary for him to resign and resign immediately," Birdsong said.
Deputy Chief Buddy Waters will serve as interim police chief until a new chief is chosen, city officials said.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, Greene said he "is confident the department will continue to move forward as a premier law enforcement agency in the state of Florida under interim Chief Water's leadership until an appointment can be made."
In his resignation letter, Goward also praised the department and its employees.
"I appreciate the opportunity I have had to work with a department of very capable and dedicated employees and to have an association with a city staff well on the way to attaining premiere status for our community," the resignation letter said.
Goward began work at the Police Department in April 2004 after working as police chief in Horry County, S.C., since 1995. When he was hired, he was paid $85,000 a year. His current salary was $95,222.

Republished with permission of The Ledger.

Posted by: chief801

Wow, if they can't take that kind of straight talk, how do they operate on the street? It's not like the e-mail was posted in the newspaper. What I find more disturbing is that the chief would hang it up because a couple of fat-bodies got mad at him for trying to get them motivated to do something that would be personally beneficial to them in the long run. Could he have been more tactful? Maybe. But give me a break! There has to be more behind the story here.

Posted by: Delta784

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief801

There has to be more behind the story here.

Ya think?

I've come to the conclusion that, with very few exceptions, ascension to the rank of chief makes one lose touch with reality, believe their own bullshit, and have an uncontrollable urge to make life miserable for the patrol officers.

Because, more often than not, someone who makes it to chief has spent their entire career avoiding police work and studying for the next promotional exam. Screwing the patrol force is some sort of Freudian self-punishment.

Posted by: chief801

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta784

But yet another argument against civil service...in most non-civil service jobs, you get promoted on merit, not just some test score. If you got a 100% but avoided police work, or screwed your subordinates, you generally will NEVER become chief.

Delta - if your above statements are based on your personal experiences, thank god I never worked where you worked! Sounds like you've had a miserable time. I hope you either become "one of the good ones", or at least get to work with one before you hang it up.

Posted by: Delta784

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief801

It's a sword that cuts both ways. Eliminate civil service, and that gives bad chiefs a blank check to screw with his subordinates.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief801

Delta - if your above statements are based on your personal experiences, thank god I never worked where you worked! Sounds like you've had a miserable time. I hope you either become "one of the good ones", or at least get to work with one before you hang it up.

I've worked for five different chiefs with two different departments, and there's only been one for whom I have the slightest shred of respect.

Welcome to my world;

http://www.qppoa.com

Posted by: justanotherparatrooper

I agree...more to this story than is being told.

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