SCOTT CITY OFFICER QUITS AMID DISCORD

SCOTT CITY -- A senior patrolman with the Scott City Police Department resigned Thursday night, making him the fifth officer to leave the department in the past eight months.

Senior Patrolman Alvin W. Blumenberg gave a letter of resignation to Police Chief David Beck outlining 14 reasons for his resignation, which takes effect today.

A copy of the letter, obtained by the Southeast Missourian, cited poor leadership by Beck, inconsistencies in departmental procedures, and a lack of trust among employees as some of the reasons for his resignation.

"There's so much back-stabbing in that police department you can't do your job," Blumenberg said. Blumenberg worked as an evidence technician in the department and conducted most of the department's drug investigations, he said.

A 6-year veteran of the force, Blumenberg said in his letter that he left "knowing that I have done my job to the best of my abilities.... Considering the above reasons, I feel I cannot perform the duties of a police officer effectively. The overall picture is a lack of proper supervision."

Although he provided Beck with his resignation, Blumenberg said in his letter, "I had no idea of who to turn my letter of resignation in to as I'm unsure of who is in charge of the police department."

Contacted Thursday night, Beck declined to comment on Blumenberg's resignation.

Among the 14 reasons Blumenberg listed for his resignation were:

Confidential information being leaked from the department.

His locked, personal files being opened and "gone through" without an investigation.

Inconsistencies in policies and procedures.

An undue amount of outside influence on internal affairs.

Supervisors interfering with investigations and interrogations.

Failure to keep personnel properly trained.

Another of Blumenberg's allegations was that he felt members of the department "had no one to go to" about problems for fear of later disciplinary action.

When problems were brought to Beck's attention, Beck either chose to ignore them or discipline those who mentioned the problems, Blumenberg also claimed.

Blumenberg declined to be more specific about the individual allegations, saying, "My only comment on this is it's a load off my back."

Beck said Blumenberg's resignation left the department with five officers under his command.

Copies of the letter were given to city council members Jim McClintock, Alvie Modglin and Ron Oller Thursday night, Blumenberg said, adding that he intended to give a copy to all council members.

Though other officers who have resigned from the department cited a low salary as at least one of the reasons for resigning, Blumenberg said salary didn't play a part in his decision.

Blumenberg was suspended by Beck in November, but was rehired and given back pay after he hired a lawyer to represent him at a hearing.

Beck currently has allegations of misconduct pending against him. The allegations were made by a department dispatcher, who has been given a 120-day suspension by the Police Personnel Board. The board plans to rule Jan. 14 on those allegations.

Contacted Thursday night, Mayor Shirley Young said she had been told of the resignation by Beck.

She said she felt as a result of Blumenberg's resignation and the fact that the department was short-handed anyway, the Police Personnel Board would pursue more actively the employment of new officers.

"Everything's being handled," she said. "It's not easy because people are working extra hours, but this can't be helped."

Over the last month, the police department has been mired in internal disputes and allegations of thefts within the department.