FILE — Jennifer Arbogast, the Glasgow Police chief, pulls away a mask as she listens to councilmembers during an earlier meeting of the Glasgow City Council.
(WCLU NEWS FILE PHOTO)
By BRENNAN D. CRAIN, WCLU News
GLASGOW — Glasgow Police Chief Jennifer Arbogast announced she will retire effective April 1.
Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse asked Arbogast to resign during a conversation on Feb. 14, according to a letter obtained in an open records request. She was not provided a reason when asked to resign, she said. Arbogast is the first female chief of Glasgow Police.
WCLU News filed an open records request with the city of Glasgow on Feb. 16 seeking insight into the matter. The request was completed on Feb. 24 and obtained on Feb. 28.
Arbogast explained in a letter addressed “to whom it may concern” that she did not have any intentions of retiring but did so due to “the unfortunate circumstances.” While those circumstances are unclear, Arbogast mentioned that the mayor “wanted to make a change.”
“I feel that if I were to stay at this point, I would be further retaliated against…,” Arbogast said.
Royse told WCLU News he was concerned with personnel matters at the police department. He said 12 police officers had resigned since Jan. 1 and felt that different leadership was needed in the department.
Obtained also in the open records request were 18 pages of redacted letters sent across two different emails to Royse, councilmembers and the city attorney. The emails detailed department concerns from various employees within Glasgow Police Department. They were sent anonymously from “GPDanonymous@proton.me.”
“We understand you may wish to put faces and names to our letters however with the current leadership at the department, anonymity is the only way we can ensure protection of our careers, families and future in law enforcement,” the email said.
The anonymous source called the nature of the police department’s leadership “vindictive.” The emails included seven different employee letters that explained various concerns ranging from public safety due to the lack of officers.
“We are extremely understaffed and only working with 3 officers at night,” a letter said. “God forbid a call comes out like a bomb threat (like we just had) or a serious call that requires more than one officer…It’s dangerous for the officers and the community.”
Rich Alexander, the city’s attorney, issued a written statement to WCLU News regarding the records. He noted how the emails were sent from a private source and were “totally unsolicited by any city representative.” The city agreed to comply with the records request since the records were in their possession despite being sent to private addresses.
“By releasing these anonymous email documents, the City makes no representation whatsoever as to the truth or falsity of same,” Alexander said.
The emails from the anonymous address went on to explain concerns about favoritism and fears of retaliation within the department from Arbogast and Major Terry Flatt.
“The current state of the Glasgow Police Department has become toxic, deplorable, and can no longer be tolerated,” one of the letters said. “The potential of this city and its citizenship will soon be overshadowed by horrific news stories and lawsuits if things are not addressed soon.
For some of the ones that have stayed, they are in a state of stress and anxiety that has pushed them to become disenchanted in their work,” another letter said. “To put it bluntly, our department needs a change.”
Arbogast had mentioned to WCLU News in a prior interview about her concerns with lower pay across the department compared to nearby agencies. She cited this reason when explaining how many of the officers choose to leave or buy out their contracts.
The letters further described micro-managing and practices within the leadership that left some staff members feeling devalued and helpless. Employees also expressed grievances about recruitment efforts.
“What is Glasgow doing to attract new officers? Nothing!” the letter said. “We are not attracting high quality people for two reasons: pay is not competitive, and our leadership is a laughing stock in the law enforcement community.”
WCLU News has learned Arbogast is no longer working within the department. She will exhaust vacation time through April 1.
“It has been a pleasure to serve the city of Glasgow for the last 21 years,” Arbogast said. “I have enjoyed my time here with many employees I have had the pleasure to work with.”
Major Flatt is serving as interim police chief.