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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend May 12, 2006 APD veteran resigns By Robert Plain for the Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Turmoil in the city's police department capped off by Tuesday's reinstatement of a police officer fired for alleged abusive behavior has led a 12-year department veteran to resign. Jan Janssen, APD's community outreach officer, resigned over the reinstatement of officer Rick Spence, who was fired months ago after being accused of hazing officer recruits. She also cited the push to remove Chief Mike Bianca as a motivation to leave. "I heard on Monday, and by Tuesday morning Michael Bianca had my letter of resignation on his desk," Janssen said. "Knowing what I know about the allegations towards Spence I really have to believe the initial decision was made carefully and the people who made the initial decision had their eyes wide open." Spence, who declined to comment through another officer, was fired in November, but city officials reinstated him in a settlement with the police officers' union. A source within the police department said, aside from bullying junior officers, Spence made "sexist and racist remarks to new recruits." Janssen said the Spence incident, coupled with the way the city pushed Bianca last month to leave the department, helped her realize that "at this point in time, I don't feel like it's my agency any more. It's really a combination of the two things." Bianca reluctantly agreed to resign as chief following negotiations with Mayor John Morrison. He will leave when an interim chief is selected, possibly within the next few weeks. Bianca has been under fire for more than a year following a vote of no-confidence by a majority of rank and file officers last summer. Residents who like Bianca's casual policing style have held several rallies in support of him. Regarding Spence's reinstatement, Bianca said he was asked last week to "negotiate a settlement" with Spence through the police union. He said the union made a settlement offer, which he took to five officers and two civilian APD personnel for their opinions. City Attorney Mike Franell declined to comment on any aspect of the situation, even those not involving the specific personnel matter at hand. Speaking generically, he said when a personnel matter reaches an impasse with the department head, the matter typically goes to the city manager before going to arbitration. Former City Administrator Gino Grimaldi said he was not involved in the decision to reinstate Spence in any way, correcting interim City Administrator Lee Tuneburg's assumption that Grimaldi had been involved. Tuneburg also said he wasn't involved with the decision. Janssen said her resignation does not reflect a personal bias against Spence, but rather an aversion to the current functioning of the department. Janssen, whose last day will be on June 1, has been with the APD for 12 years. Although she is not a sworn officer, she is a member of the police union. For 10 years she served as the department's youth diversion officer. Two years ago, she became community outreach officer. She described her role with the department as that of a "social worker." When someone finds themselves in trouble with the law, municipal Judge Alan Drescher has the option of remanding the offender to spend time with Janssen. This, Janssen said, can be anything from informal counseling sessions to driving at-risk youths to school. She currently has 25 to 30 clients, and doesn't know what will happen with their diversion programs once she is gone. "No one does one-on-one counseling but me," she said. Robert Plain is a reporter for the Ashland Daily Tidings. He can be reached at 482-3456 or [email protected]. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy