The two unions representing Lakewood police officers, sergeants and captains are calling for Police Chief Patrick Smith to be removed from his position after a majority of their members voted last month that they had no confidence in the chief’s leadership.
A union for civilian employees in the Lakewood Police Department also sent a letter to city leadership expressing support for the police unions’ votes. It said concerns raised by the police guilds reflected issues that have affected morale, communication and employees’ ability to effectively perform their duties.
In a phone interview Thursday, Smith pushed back on claims that he had exhibited a pattern of poor communication, disengaged leadership — including sleeping during meetings — and a lack of contingency planning in dealing with officers leaving the Police Department for other agencies…