OPINIONS ON THE DEPARTURE: Colleagues' reactions mixed
BY SUZETTE HACKNEY
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Moments after the phrase "step down as chief of police, effective immediately" left Detroit Police Chief Jerry Oliver's lips, 8th (Northwest) Precinct officers hooted and hollered, ripped the chief's picture down from the wall and slapped high-fives.

"It was like the Lions had won the Super Bowl," said Lt. Ricardo Moore, who had his own run-ins with Oliver. "It's a new beginning for the city of Detroit and its police department. He wasn't good for police morale and he wasn't good for the citizens."

But as Oliver makes his exit less than two years after arriving in Detroit, some say the struggling department will experience a setback.

"It's really a sad day for the city and the department," said Detroit Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel, who supported Oliver's reform efforts. "I think he did some incredibly important things while he was here, but at the end of the day, these allegations undercut the legitimacy of his leadership in the department and raised ethical concerns that compromised his ability to continue leading the department."

After Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's election, the news that an outsider was coming in to lead the police department was met by scorn from many in the rank and file. That scorn only grew as Oliver challenged the unions and gained a reputation as a heavy-handed disciplinarian.

But Oliver knew he wouldn't be liked by all, and he often said he didn't accept the job to make friends.

Still, 5th (Jefferson) Precinct Cmdr. Charles Barbieri said he was disappointed with his departure. Oliver was friendly, he said. "I have a lot of respect for the guy," Barbieri said. "He made himself available. I have seen him pat officers on the back and shake their hands."

Added Deputy Chief Ronald Haddad: "I'm saddened by the chain of events for the chief, his family, the department and our city. I'm fully confident that we will rebound from this and advance our department to a world class one. But I clearly share disappointment that we have had a setback."

At the 13th (Woodward) Precinct, officers avoided reacting for reporters, but a receptionist said offhandedly, "We're all smiling."

"I've talked to everybody here and they all seem to be pleased," said Sgt. Hilton Kincaid, community relations supervisor at the 13th.

Other law enforcement officials praised and criticized Oliver for his efforts during his 21-month tenure. Farmington Hills Police Chief Bill Dwyer said he'd met with Oliver several times, calling him a dedicated professional.

"I think he did improve the department . . . but he made some mistakes along the way," Dwyer said. "His intentions were well meant . . . but as he progressed in his efforts there were some failures on his part."

Wayne County Prosecutor Michael Duggan, who must decide if he will prosecute Oliver for having an undeclared gun in his luggage recently, said the chief's stance on gun violence was palpable -- in the crime and homicide statistics.

"Jerry Oliver has done a lot of really good things for the city," Duggan said. "I'm sad to see him go and I'm going to miss him."

To some, there is no question that Oliver should be held to the same -- if not higher -- standard as any other citizen.

"We believe that the chief should have been held accountable and responsible for his actions from the very beginning," said Ron Scott, president of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality.

Said former Deputy Chief Gary Brown, who was fired by Kilpatrick in May, allegedly for investigating rumors that the mayor, his staff and family engaged in illegal activity: "His credibility was just destroyed with the incident at the airport. . . . There's no way he has any credibility to discipline other officers that commit like offenses."