Craddock Harrell Barker Bolton Day Ii

Craddock Craddock said he drove the RR and Bolton's daughter remarked how much she liked it. Two days later the car was given to Bolton. Four months later Bolton also took possession of the Mercedes. Stated there were 20-25 undercover vehicles and that Bolton received the nicest. The attorney for the County, Indermark asked why someone from the department would normally drive a vehicle such as the RR or the Mercedes he answered "To look like a drug dealer." He later stated that Suburbans and Chargers were not used as undercover because they look too much like police vehicles. Craddock also stated that he had heard rumors as to why people were transferred to nonessential jobs and specifically mentioned Woodard's transfer from Narcotics to Communication. Upon cross examination McKenney asked if Craddock was aware if there were problems within certain department that would warrant transfers, and Craddock was not certain. Harrell Bolton called Harrell on the morning of February 3rd to let him know he was sick, and had placed KA in charge of the department. Bolton further asked Harrell to support KA in department operations, and stated if any major decisions were to be made that they should contact them. Harrell stated there was no specific conversation of the CEO's order to KA to terminate KW, but after meeting with KA and being told about the CEO's order he realized Bolton's call related to the KW termination issue. Bolton's staff meeting e-mail and KW's uniform/badge/vehicle were covered as was KW supervising sworn officers. Indermark asked Harrell if he felt a civilian should supervise sworn personnel Harrell said he though it was best served if sworn officers were supervised by sworn supervisors. Harrell was asked if there was a perception in the department that KW was the 2nd in command and he stated "Yes." Upon cross examination Harrell was asked if there were rules or regulations preventing the Chief from appointing someone un sworn into the director position. Harrell said No. McKenney asked how KA seemed emotionally after receiving the order to terminate KW. He said she seemed concerned and felt she was between a rock and a hard place. Keith Barker Baker's testimony was lengthy, detailed in matters of memos/emails to/from Bolton and as well as matters of the law and how they affected the CEO's authority, comp time, and leave. The cross examination of Barker by McKenney was at times heated when he felt Barker was being evasive with his answers or going into too much detail, when McKenney was looking for a simple yes or no. The County established county hierarchy, authority of CEO to make personnel decisions based on laws. Merit status, Exempt (FLSA) and non-exempt status/law were reviewed. Through a series of questions, and documents it was revealed that CEO Ellis and Bolton had tried to meet from the time shortly after CEO Ellis taking office up to the time Bolton took medical leave, however for various reasons including schedules the meeting never took place. CEO Ellis wanted to meet with Bolton to cover a broad range of topics including his conduct, comp time and concerns regarding Keisha Williams. Barker did have an impromptu meeting with Bolton and discussed comp time due to the concerns over negative media reports regarding comp time. Barker told Bolton that comp time needed to be supervised, requested and approved. The CEO's feelings were that highly compensated employees should use comp time judiciously if at all. The

records showed that after having the impromptu meeting with Barker that Bolton took 4 hours of unapproved comp time on January 16th, as well as 8 hours (unapproved) on January 20th. Bolton did attempt to contact Barker via phone twice and left a voice mail, and then ultimately sent a memo delivered on the 16th stating he would be out of the office until the 21st. Bolton did not ask for or receive approval for his leave. Upon cross examination McKenney asked Baker if he saw the requests and approval for comp time under the Jones administration why was it necessary to change. Barker stated that it was because comp time is up to the discretion of the organization. A January 7th memo from Bolton to CEO Ellis (cc: Barker) that congratulated Ellis and stated Bolton was looking forward to hitting the ground running and his desire to establish an effective communication loop. He also requested a meeting with the CEO. It was restated by Barker that there were unsuccessful attempts on both sides to schedule meetings.