 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
Back
|
Search ends: Vines to lead police again
By LEONORA LaPETER
© St. Petersburg Times, ST. PETERSBURG -- The hunt for St. Petersburg's next police chief ended where it began Friday. Mack Vines, the controversial former police chief whom Mayor Rick Baker originally tapped to help with the search, was selected to run the department for a second time. "It was a gut feeling as to who I felt would best serve our city as police chief and make it a safer place," Baker said. Baker made the announcement inside the entrance to City Hall, saying he was comfortable that Vines, 63, would continue the philosophies of police Chief Goliath Davis III, who is retiring after four years to become deputy mayor of economic development. Behind Baker, a somber-looking crowd of community leaders and City Council members gathered on the steps, as if posing for a class picture. "He is without question, he is without question," Baker repeated, "one of the most dedicated and talented and experienced professionals in the United States today, and we are equally fortunate to have him return as our police chief today." Baker made no mention of Vines' troubled past, which includes an indictment and acquittal on perjury charges while he was police chief in Dallas, and accusations that he had "a poor work ethic" and a "temper" while he was head of the Southeastern Public Safety Institute at St. Petersburg Junior College from 1991 to 1999. Instead, he focused on Vines' experience: police chief in St. Petersburg from 1974 to 1980, followed by stints as chief in Charlotte, N.C., Cape Coral and Dallas. Vines also directed a bureau of the U.S. Department of Justice from 1985 to 1987 and now works for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, managing cases for a boys boot camp. Baker later said that he realizes Vines had some past problems, but his staff's research revealed another side to each of those claims. "All of us have things in our background in one amount or another," Baker said. Once he was comfortable with Vines as a person, Baker said he felt confident with Vines as chief because of his experience, his knowledge of St. Petersburg and his history of bringing departments through racial tensions. Vines is known for diversifying his departments, and he promoted Davis from patrol officer to deputy chief. But later, speaking to the St. Petersburg Times editorial board, Baker made it clear he knew Friday's decision will have far-reaching implications. "If you mess up, Mack, in three years, they'll throw me out of office," Baker said, smiling. Vines will earn $111,400 a year as police chief. He also will continue to draw an annual police pension of $47,750 because he previously left the Police Department as chief after a 20-year career with the city. "It's not out of the ordinary," said First Deputy Mayor Tish Elston. The position of police chief is a sensitive one here because just five years ago, a police shooting sparked widespread violence, especially in poor, majority black neighborhoods south of downtown. It was clear that Baker sought the support of prominent African-Americans -- particularly Davis himself -- and asked them to publicly affirm his selection of Vines. "He's a known person to the community and will take a stand for what's right for both sides of the community," said Darryl Rouson, president of the St. Petersburg branch of the NAACP. Others weren't so sure. "That's his choice, but I'm sure it's not too popular with the neighborhoods. The community was due a change," said Charles Payne, president of Bartlett Park neighborhood association. Many, including the police union, wanted an outsider who could give the department a fresh perspective. Others were loyal to Chuck Harmon, assistant chief of patrol, another finalist. City Council Chairwoman Rene Flowers spoke often of her support for Harmon. She was one of the few council members who did not show up to stand behind Baker during his announcement Friday. At least one top-ranking local law enforcement official approves of the mayor's choice. "Whatever problems he might have had in Dallas, you can't tell about something like that," said Pinellas County Sheriff Everett Rice, who has known Vines for about 30 years. "I think Mack was a victim of political circumstance. Whatever difficulties he might have had at the junior college, it might have humbled him a little bit and made him a better man." The search that landed Vines began in April, after Davis decided to retire and Baker persuaded him to stay on as deputy mayor of economic development. The city ran national ads in city trade publications and Internet career sites. It did not hire a headhunter because Baker felt his staff had enough expertise to conduct the search, Elston said. Baker asked Vines to gather comments from community leaders and business groups. When Vines handed in his eight-page report, he told Baker he also wanted to be considered for the job. Baker received some 117 resumes and went through all of them himself. He brought each of the finalists in for personal interviews and allowed the community to question them during a public reception. As for Vines' past, city staffers went to Dallas, interviewed his defense attorney but not the prosecutor in the perjury case. Vines was acquitted of perjury in Dallas after being accused of lying to a panel that reviewed a police shooting case. "When somebody is accused and fully vindicated, in America that's the way the system works," said Baker. "It means he was wrongfully accused." Vines discounted his performance reviews at SPJC, where his work ethic was questioned, as a personality conflict. Mostly, the city received glowing reports of Vines. "I'm a very stern manager," Vines said Friday. "I hold people accountable for their performance as I'm held accountable for my performance." It was Wednesday evening in Baker's office when the mayor finally decided Vines would get the job. As he sat with Davis and Elston, they discussed the pros and cons of each candidate. "Well, I'm most comfortable with Mack," Baker said. He then asked his administrators to question his decision. He said he still felt comfortable. Baker later met Vines at Bennigan's on Fourth Street N, where he offered the job to Vines over strawberry cheesecake and decaf coffee. He and Davis broke the news to Harmon on Thursday. Harmon said Friday that he had mixed emotions. "I put in for something and didn't get it," said Harmon, 41. But he added, "I'm happy right where I'm at. I'm fine." Davis said he was extremely pleased with Vines' selection. "To me this is a pretty emotional event. Here's a guy who started me in my career and as I end my police career, we're going back full circle to him," Davis said. Vines will start shadowing Davis on Sept. 24 and become chief Oct. 5. After the announcement, Baker planned to meet his wife and kids for dinner at Chick-Fil-A. It was his 16th wedding anniversary. He apologized to his wife for making the announcement on their day, then handed her 16 yellow roses. - Times staff writers Leanora Minai, Bryan Gilmer and Mike Brassfield contributed to this report. Mack M. VinesBirthplace: Atlanta; Age: 63. Employed: Boys boot camp case manager, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Education: Northeast High School, St. Petersburg; bachelor's in criminal justice, Saint Leo College, 1976. Master's in public administration, Golden Gate University, 1980. Professional Experience: Child protection investigator, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, April-October 2000; director, Southeastern Public Safety Institute, St. Petersburg Junior College, 1991-99; chief of police, Dallas, 1988-90; chief of police, Cape Coral, 1987-88; director, U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance, Washington, D.C., 1985-87; chief of police, Charlotte, N.C., 1980-85; chief of police, St. Petersburg, 1974-1980. Family: Divorced; two children, 40 and 43. Four grandchildren. Hobbies: Golf and fishing. The Vines Era, Part 2Mack M. Vines will be St. Petersburg's 12th police chief and the only chief to serve two different terms. Here's a look at the 27 years between his first and second tours: 1974: Vines, a St. Petersburg native, becomes chief. He stays until 1980, when he retires. He is later chief in Charlotte, N.C., and Dallas but returns to St. Petersburg to head the Criminal Justice Institute. He also serves as an interim assistant city manager overseeing public safety. 1980: Sam Lynn becomes chief, serving 10 years before retiring in 1990. The department starts a downtown-deployment team and neighborhood crime watch programs. Two black officers sue the city for discrimination. In answer, the city institutes a one-for-one affirmative action policy to guarantee equal advancement for minorities and women. 1990: Ernest "Curt" Curtsinger is hired from Los Angeles, where he had been a bureau commander. He begins a community policing program in which officers are assigned to neighborhoods. Problems arise over promotions and cultural diversity training, sharply dividing the department and the community. He is fired in February 1992. He runs for mayor in 1993 but loses in an election that gives the mayor more power. 1992: Darrel W. Stephens is hired as chief. He had been a chief at smaller departments and was head of the Police Executive Research Forum in Washington. He is considered a leader in modern policing, but he does not fare well with officers. In 1997, he leaves the department to become chief aide to then-Mayor David Fischer. In 1999, Stephens leaves to become chief in Charlotte, N.C. 1997: Goliath Davis III becomes the first African-American to be chosen chief in the city where he was born. His tenure as chief is peppered with controversy as he fights off lawsuits from current and former officers. His relationship with the police union is poor. He now becomes deputy mayor for Midtown Economic Development in the Challenge Area. September 2001: Vines is chosen chief by Mayor Rick Baker.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
Headlines From the Times local news desks |
