The T-C is now reporting on pay severances totalling around $600K (actually, more like $580K, but who's quibbling?)... These severance packages were paid out by Victoria police to six individuals, starting in 2002. That's more than $100K per year... Well, that would have paid for more cops downtown, so if that's what the FOI request was about, I can see why the "client" set it in motion...
Article:
[url=http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=286cc1d8-c80d-4741-83e9-797a94fe40f8&k=85171:2c7a5]Taxpayers hit for $600,000 in police severance deals[/url:2c7a5]
Senior officers said to have had problems with police Chief Paul Battershill
Louise Dickson, Times Colonist
Published: Saturday, November 03, 2007
A turnover in senior officers and staff at the Victoria Police Department has cost Victoria taxpayers more than $600,000 in severance packages since December 2002, the Times Colonist has learned.
Former deputy police chief Geoff Varley and three high-ranking inspectors negotiated severance packages with the Victoria police board, along with the police chief's executive secretary and the head of information technology.
The senior officers, who are said to have had differences with Chief Paul Battershill, were asked by the chief if they would consider leaving.
Details of the severance deals will be released officially as part of a response to a Freedom of Information request, probably next month.
The high-level departures are unusual for local police forces. For instance, Saanich police Sgt. John Price said Friday his department has not negotiated severance pay for senior officers or staff in many years.
According to Victoria police financial comptroller Scott Sievewright, the department doesn't have a specific policy on severance packages - although they are awarded if an employee is dismissed without cause.
"If a severance package is to be negotiated, we look at how close to retirement a person is and the circumstances of why the severance is necessary," Sievewright said yesterday. "There is labour law and civil past practice we look at. The package goes to the police board for approval."
Presumably, Battershill would have had to explain to the board why these officers and staff were not needed. He would have also likely indicated why, in the case of the secretary and the head of IT, no other position in the department could be found for them.
After the provincial government ordered the amalgamation of the Esquimalt and Victoria police forces on Jan. 1, 2003, there was some reorganization within the department, although no jobs were eliminated. Indeed, a new west zone inspector's position was created.
Since the three inspectors left, their positions have been filled although Varley's deputy chief position has not.
A recent Freedom of Information request filed by lawyer David Mulroney on behalf of an unnamed client asked for information about severance deals and employees who were dismissed without cause since 2004.
The requests were initially challenged by law firm Heenan Blaikie on behalf of Battershill, and a letter Mulroney wrote in response was the catalyst for an emergency police board meeting on Oct. 10, after which Battershill was put on administrative leave.
The chief is also being investigated by Police Complaint Commissioner Dirk Ryneveld over allegations of misconduct that Mayor Alan Lowe, the chairman of the police board, has said have to do with personnel issues.
Although Mulroney has received some information he requested, such as Battershill's credit-card expenses, he has been told the severance information will likely be available by mid-December.
Neither Lowe, who is out of the country, nor Esquimalt Mayor Chris Clement, vice-chairman of the police board, could be reached yesterday for comment. A message left yesterday afternoon for Battershill wasn't returned.
Price said no one in his department has received a severance package "in the last three decades that I'm aware of."
"And if someone's been fired, they've been fired with just cause," he said.
Victoria Police Department severance packages were awarded to the following people, all of whom have signed non-disclosure agreements:
--- Susan Sutherland, head of information technology for the department, was dismissed in December 2002. She had worked for the City of Victoria since 1980, before transferring to the police in 1990. Her annual salary was about $60,000. She was awarded an 18-month severance package worth about $90,000.
--- Insp. John Hartley joined the department in June 1978. In 2000, Battershill promoted Hartley to inspector. His last day on the job was Dec. 31, 2002, although he officially retired in October 2003, after negotiating a buyout of nine months' salary worth almost $70,000.
--- Insp. Grant Smith was Esquimalt's deputy chief when the force amalgamated with Victoria on Jan. 1, 2003. Smith was made inspector of the patrol division. Smith's last day of work was July 31, 2005. His official retirement date was July 31, 2006. He received $113,000 plus benefits to stay home for a year.
--- Deputy Chief Geoff Varley worked for the department from 1976. His last day on the job was June 30, 2006, but his contract ran until July 2, 2007. During the year he spent at home, Varley received severance of $70,000, equal to six months' salary.
--- Insp. Phyllis Senay was injured in a shooting incident on Oct. 28, 2005. She has never returned to work. Senay received Workers Compensation until March 25, 2007, then was put back on the Victoria police payroll. She will receive full salary until August 2008, an amount close to $167,000. Her annual salary is $118,000.
--- Joanne Zimmerman was executive secretary to chiefs of the police department for 18 years. Her salary in 2006 was $59,000. She was dismissed in 2007 and received a 25-month severance package, or about $122,000.
ldickson@tc.canwest.com
© Times Colonist 2007
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