Town of Tonawanda, N.Y. (WBEN) - In response to being accused of organizing a ticket strike, The Town of Tonawanda Police Club has issued their first ever vote of no confidence in Chief Jim Stauffiger.
At least 200 people were in attendance for Monday's board meeting, where TTPC President Andy Thompson formally announced the charges against Stauffiger.
"Creating a hostile and toxic work environment that negatively impacts the safety, morale, and mental health of those working under him; bringing the department into disrepute by allowing dangerous staffing shortages to create daily officer safety risks; general incompetence in handling personnel and critical law enforcement matters; abuse of authority by retaliating against officers who speak up or raise valid concerns; failing to support or defend his officers, repeatedly choosing politics over protection, and neglecting community trust by overseeing a culture of secrecy, fear, and division," stated Thompson.
Thompson says the department's officers are no longer requesting action, they're demanding it.
"Let's be clear, this isn't political and this isn't personal. This is about safety. This is about accountability. This is about the future of our department and our town," stated Thompson.
Residents who spoke during the meeting expressed not only their frustration over Chief Stauffiger but also with Town Supervisor Joe Emminger.
"I sent you 3,737 emails over the last five years begging to have more police on my street in the last one, you said to me, and I quote, 'There's very little that we can do, short of putting an officer at that corner 24 hours a day, which is not in the budget.' Then you would turn around and say, 'well, you know this and that about the police.' You can't have it both ways. Joe, you just can't. I want transparency. I want you to resign right now, because your job, your only job, Joe, is to keep us safe. That's your only job is to keep us safe. If you can't do that, find somebody who can," stated one resident.
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Jennifer, a former dispatcher for the town, says that several of her female co-workers, including herself, were victimized by Stauffiger "to an unimaginable degree."
"Jim Stauffiger claiming the men and women of this department put residents at risk by failure to act as complete hypocrisy, blatant hypocrisy. What's more important to this board, revenue from the traffic infractions or stopping a serial rapist? Because this department's administration allowed an admitted and convicted serial rapist to work in that department for almost 20 years. Jim Stauffiger did nothing to protect his employees, and this board wants to talk about traffic tickets. It is a slap in the face to me and every person who has ever experienced sexual harassment or abuse," stated Jennifer.
Town of Tonawanda Detective Captain William Krier also stood at the podium to defend Stauffiger, saying arguments against him are misguided.
"What the victims endured was nothing short of horrible predatory assault. I was told that it started in 2009. It was also reported to me, that part of the reason the victim stayed silent for so long was due to the belief that if they came forward, that nothing would happen. And that's because nothing had happened to the perpetrator for many years. A year after James Stauffiger became chief, they came forward. The perpetrator was arrested and eventually sent to prison. That occurred under his leadership," stated Krier.
Town of Tonawanda officials declined to comment on the union's vote of no confidence.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Apr. 22.