Raymond is leaving Fletcher PD

FLETCHER - Police Chief Langdon B. Raymond is leaving the Fletcher department and law enforcement after three years, the past two marked by multiple complaints former officers filed against the town.

The town sent out a press release Thursday morning saying Raymond "will be retiring from law enforcement and leaving employment with the Town of Fletcher effective July 9."

"Chief Raymond has appreciated the opportunity to serve the Fletcher community," the release stated. "He will be pursuing other interests at the conclusion of his tenure with the town. The Town of Fletcher appreciates Chief Raymond's service to the town and the contributions he has made to lead the Fletcher Police Department."

Raymond's tenure has been marked by lawsuits or grievances filed by fired police officers who say they were wrongly demoted and fired. The most recent was a federal lawsuit filed in March by former officer Adam White concerning the incident that began a string of troubles for Raymond's department.

In April 2006, White stopped an off-duty state trooper for driving 99 mph on Mills Gap Road. White gave the trooper a warning, stating that Raymond approved the decision. District Attorney Jeff Hunt later ordered the trooper charged with speeding and reckless driving.

White's lawsuit says Raymond made White write reports without pay and forcibly searched him after the speeding incident. He is seeking back wages and damages on charges he was wrongfully fired. The suit is the seventh complaint against the town police department filed either in federal court or with federal agencies charged with protecting workers' rights.

Several residents called the newspaper last week to say they had heard the embattled police chief was leaving. The rumors started when Town Council held a closed session to discuss personnel at its June 2 agenda setting meeting.

Raymond has declined several requests for an interview since last week. Town leaders also declined repeatedly in the past week to comment on Raymond's pending departure, although two said on Thursday they hope the change presents an opportunity.

Mayor Bill Moore said Town Manager Mark Biberdorf called him Wednesday to tell him the chief had turned in a letter stating he was going to retire. Moore said the town is committed to finding a new chief who will help the department turn a new page.

"A lot of things that have happened that have been like personnel matters and issues in our department and we have had some problems in our department," Moore said. "We are going to look at bringing in a new police chief and I will talk tomorrow with our town manager and some of our council members about what kind of process we are going to set up to look for a new chief. We are committed to provide our citizens with quality law enforcement and that's what we are going to do."

Biberdorf declined to comment when asked if the town had called for Raymond to resign.

"I'm not going to comment on that. He is giving his 30 days notice and he is retiring from law enforcement," Biberdorf said.

At age 42, Raymond is too young to retire with full benefits. But he has worked 20 years in law enforcement in North Carolina, which Biberdorf said is an important milestone toward accruing benefits in the state.

The manager also declined to discuss any severance deal the town may have established with Raymond, who is now earning a salary of $57,414.

Raymond started work with the department as a police officer Oct. 11, 2004, and was promoted to chief in June 2005 under the administration of Craig Honeycutt, who preceded Biberdorf as town manager. Hiring a new police chief will be the first major department head position Biberdorf has filled since he became town manager in January 2006.

Fletcher Town Councilman Bob Davy said he wants Biberdorf to take the time necessary to find a strong candidate to fill the position. Davy also acknowledged the town has faced many controversies with its police department.

"There has (been), and obviously we are hoping this is kind of an opportunity we can take advantage of," he said. "That is why I want our town manager to spend extra time to really try to find a good replacement."

Fletcher Police Department has 15 sworn officers including the chief and one administrative staff member.

Biberdorf said he plans to appoint an interim chief after Raymond's departure. He plans to publicize the position in various government and law enforcement journals for at least a month, to review applications and then interview candidates with an interview panel. The town's pay grade for the police chief position ranges from $53,471 to $76,388 based on experience and qualifications.

Fletcher does not have a citizen advisory or review committee for law enforcement.

"I'm not going to go down that road right now," Biberdorf said. "That is something obviously we could consider, but as far as an interview panel it is probably going to be a cross-section of different groups. I think it would be premature for me to say who is going to be on the interview panel right how."

Asked what the top qualities are that he will seek in a new chief, Biberdorf responded: "That they have the skills and competencies to do that job at the level. Obviously we need someone who is good dealing with the public, dealing with different audiences. Interacting well with other staff, the mayor and council is an important part of the job."

Davy said dealing well with the public will be a key qualification.

"We are going to look for someone who is a good strong leader and gets along well with the citizens," he said. "Let's face it, the police chief is probably the number two person in visibility right behind the mayor."

He added: "We have a real good town manager right now in Mr. Biberdorf and he is already laying out some plans on the steps he wants to take to find a replacement police chief. He is in a good position to take the time to find a replacement."