Westfield Police Department: Another Claim of Hostile Work Environment & Unfair Labor Practice

     The Westfield Police Department is no stranger to claims of a hostile work environment, unfair labor practices, employee grievances and the like.  If the town employed a human resource professional to handle the complaints, that office door would be in constant motion.
     Westfield Town Administrator Jim Gildea has had much to do with where these complaints ultimately end up, either settled amicably or litigated through the judicial process costing taxpayer money to defend the town's often no win position.
     The town has spent hundreds of thousands, if not over a million dollars of taxpayer money to defend against, or settle, alleged claims of harassment, unfair labor practices, freedom of speech violations, and wistleblower policy violations within the police department alone.

John M. Parizeau

     This latest case is just another drain on the taxpayer as a result of town officials dragging their feet and not recognizing that the the people they have allowed to be put into command leadership positions within the police department are the source of the problem.  
     The last three police chiefs, Bernard Tracy, John Parizeau, and current police chief David Wayman have all been recommended to the Westfield Town Council, by Town Administrator Jim Gildea, to become police chief.  Gildea's last recommendation, David Wayman, may hopefully prove the old saying to be true in the case, "Three strikes, you're out."
     A police chief's character and leadership qualities, or lack thereof, contribute to the overall morale within any police department.  The last three police chief appointments have been questioned by the rank and file repeatedly but only Jim Gildea has the answers, some of which have been flushed down the proverbial toilet, or selectively forgotten and/or physically destroyed.  Perhaps stolen from the Town archives Ms Gray?

David Wayman

JIm Gildea

     Gildea will never publicly release the results of any of the examination or testing processes he has had his hands on not only because they are protected personnel records, but also because the truth would be exposed.  If everything was done "above the table," "honestly," "legit," "fair," and with the utmost integrity like any testing process should be, why not ask the last three police chiefs to sign a disclosure waiver and produce the results?  Because none of the "players" want the truth to be told.
     Town officials have attempted to squash, stall, but not yet settle a current claim brought by one of its most respected employees within the police department.  True to form, town lawyers have been paid to defend the Town's unenviable position regardless of the fact that it, no doubt, has an indication they will lose in court.      The evidence and witnesses against the Town appear to be the straw that will break the camel's back once again.  It will come as no surprise that the alleged altering or destruction of evidence by one or more town officials will unravel the Town's defense.  

Mayor Skibitsky

     How much has this cost, or will end up costing the Westfield Taxpayer?  It will cost a heck of a lot more than the $150,000+ that we pay Town Administrator Jim Gildea to run the Town of Westfield.
     TFoTM asks the members of the Westfield Town Council........... ..........1.  "How much of what is going on in the police department are you aware of?"
2.  "How much of what is going on in the police department does Jim Gildea, Police Chief Dave Wayman, or Mayor Andy Skibitsky want to tell you?

TO BE CONTINUED................................................