Guilderland, New York - Police Chief Suspended, Could Lose Job
From World Now and News 10, 03/12/07
Guilderland Police Chief James Murley is under the microscope and off the job for now - and officials say they want him out permanently. Murley has been off the job since last month, when he was put on paid administrative leave. But now, he is on un-paid suspension, and the town is taking steps to terminate him.
The whole thing started with allegations of sexual harassment. But that investigation has also turned up several other alleged problems, including violations of the town's ethics rules, and problems with the chief's attendance.
NEWS10's John McLoughlin explains how those in charge hope it all adds up to one thing: firing the chief. Jim Murley is the only police chief that most Guilderland residents have ever known. But now, sources tell NEWS10 that the town is charging, among other things, that Murley was at the Turning Stone Casino when he should have been on the job.
"The Town Board has changed the status of Police Chief James Murley from paid administrative leave to un-paid suspension," says Town Supervisor Kenneth Runion. Supervisor Runion would say very little about three very cryptic charges against Murley, a 34-year veteran of the department. Sources tell NEWS10 that Murley engaged in misconduct with a vendor - those sources telling us Murley tried to get a locksmith to forgive a bill for a young woman.
Sources also tell NEWS10 that Murley:
- Violated ethics rules with his police underlings
- Borrowed money from at least one subordinate
- Had inaccurate attendance records - a references to claims that he was at Turning Stone on company time
But Supervisor Runion refused to confirm the true details of the charges. "When, if ever, will the taxpayers of Guilderland find out the details of the charges you have brought against Mr. Murley," McLoughlin asked Runion. "When the final determination has been made after a hearing," Runion said. When asked how long that would be, Runion said, "within the next 30-days."
Chief Murley did not return our phone calls, and his attorney, William Cade, declined comment.
Runion said he was fearful of revealing any details last month, when NEWS10 broke the story, fearful for a very unusual reason. The Supervisor says he knew that the chief had very close relationships with some news reporters and that could kill the probe.
Retrieved March 31, 2007 from http://www.wten.com/Global/story.asp?S=6205589
Guilderland Police Chief James Murley is under the microscope and off the job for now - and officials say they want him out permanently. Murley has been off the job since last month, when he was put on paid administrative leave. But now, he is on un-paid suspension, and the town is taking steps to terminate him.
The whole thing started with allegations of sexual harassment. But that investigation has also turned up several other alleged problems, including violations of the town's ethics rules, and problems with the chief's attendance.
NEWS10's John McLoughlin explains how those in charge hope it all adds up to one thing: firing the chief. Jim Murley is the only police chief that most Guilderland residents have ever known. But now, sources tell NEWS10 that the town is charging, among other things, that Murley was at the Turning Stone Casino when he should have been on the job.
"The Town Board has changed the status of Police Chief James Murley from paid administrative leave to un-paid suspension," says Town Supervisor Kenneth Runion. Supervisor Runion would say very little about three very cryptic charges against Murley, a 34-year veteran of the department. Sources tell NEWS10 that Murley engaged in misconduct with a vendor - those sources telling us Murley tried to get a locksmith to forgive a bill for a young woman.
Sources also tell NEWS10 that Murley:
- Violated ethics rules with his police underlings
- Borrowed money from at least one subordinate
- Had inaccurate attendance records - a references to claims that he was at Turning Stone on company time
But Supervisor Runion refused to confirm the true details of the charges. "When, if ever, will the taxpayers of Guilderland find out the details of the charges you have brought against Mr. Murley," McLoughlin asked Runion. "When the final determination has been made after a hearing," Runion said. When asked how long that would be, Runion said, "within the next 30-days."
Chief Murley did not return our phone calls, and his attorney, William Cade, declined comment.
Runion said he was fearful of revealing any details last month, when NEWS10 broke the story, fearful for a very unusual reason. The Supervisor says he knew that the chief had very close relationships with some news reporters and that could kill the probe.
Retrieved March 31, 2007 from http://www.wten.com/Global/story.asp?S=6205589