Trayvon Martin case: Sanford commission votes 'no confidence' in police chief

[Baitball Blogger]

Sanford city commissioners just gave a vote of no confidence in police Chief Bill Lee Jr., who has been publicly lambasted for his department's handling of the Trayvon Martin shooting.

The vote was 3-2, with Commissioners Randy Jones and Patty Mahany voting against.

Commissioner Mark McCarty made a motion to fire the chief, who has been on the job just 10 months. Lee was hired as chief in May 2011 in the wake of tumult surrounding the beating of a homeless black man by the son of a Sanford lieutenant.

The commission, discussing the topic before a packed house, is taking public comment now. Commissioners can't fire Lee because he reports to City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr. But their vote tonight sent a strong signal.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-21/news/os-trayvon-martin-sanford-commission-20120321_1

[teddy51]

1. Lets hope they bring someone in from outside to clean that Department up if they are sucessful

in getting rid of Lee.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. The City Manager has to fire him first.

This is a catch 22 for police chiefs. I guarantee that the Commission wouldn't have been making this move if it weren't for all the national attention.

This is a very political county. It does not rely on process. It relies on connections.

[teddy51]

6. I understand that, but it seems time that a major overhaul takes place in this Police

Department and it's staff.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. Personally, I hope it begins with the police department...

...and reaches further into the county.

[teddy51]

8. Sounds good! n/t

[cojoel]

9. a real outsider

Someone like Virgil Tibbs.

[Baitball Blogger]

11. He would have to have some heavy political support.

He must not fall for Central Florida insincerity. The first people who will try to befriend him are the very people he needs to keep an eye on. Lawyers will try to offer their free services to know his business, people will take him out for drinks to try to get him drunk and watch him drive off in his car.

Am I a little cynical?

[winstars]

3. This link worked for me:

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-21/news/os-trayvon-martin-sanford-commission-20120321_1_chief-bill-lee-patty-mahany-commissioners-randy-jones

[Baitball Blogger]

4. Both take me to the same page.

[CatWoman]

5. I came to see if this story was posted

and luckily did not post a dupe, as i saw it was already here.

Having said that, the first couple times I tried to access the link from the parent site, I got an error.

The third time was the charm.

[JI7]

10. who can fire him ? and are they corrupt also considering they didn't fire him

after this incident with the homeless man getting beat up by the son of a lieutenant ?

[Baitball Blogger]

12. City Manager can fire him. Yes. In Sanford there is nothing to stop

a commissioner from being corrupt. They have gotten away with some crazy things in the past.

[Justice wanted]

13. Let's hope justice starts happening.

[Pachamama]

14. Live Now on Lawrence ODonnell - Interview w/ City Manager Bonaparte of Sanford!!!!

lawrence is pissed and grilling him....

[Baitball Blogger]

15. Please, more information!