REX MONCRIEF

Contributing Columnist

From day one, the Tommy Chandler administration has struggled to find its footing. Tommy’s choice for CAO and campaign running-buddy was a non-starter even before the first day. However, nothing illustrates that struggle more than the whole “police chief soap opera.”

First, there was the appointment of Chris Estess. That was a bungled effort from the start. There were the emails supposedly sent late at night re-assigning officers. Chief Shane McWilliams was assigned to front desk duty, and then he refused to show up for work. Even the title for Chris Estess was in dispute before Substitute Chief Estess was settled upon.

Next, there were the investigations into Shane McWilliams. In what was eerily similar to a political whisper campaign, the Chandler administration never seemed to quite answer what (or why) McWilliams was being investigated. The Louisiana State Police were mentioned with rumors later claiming that they refused to get involve, and the District Attorney’s office even refused to be involved.

Then came the short-lived Civil Service Board hearing to investigate possible rules violations concerning the reassignment of Chief Shane McWilliams by Tommy Chandler. That ended with a lawsuit filed by the City of Bossier City against the Civil Service Board and a temporary restraining order against the Civil Service Board.

Finally, one day before the rescheduled hearing, the Tommy Chandler administration announced the retirement of Police Chief Shane McWilliams. When you read the press release and the quotes in the local newspaper, it seems as if Tommy and Shane have been best friends all along. That is just counterintuitive to the drama of the last several months. Maybe Shane was offered a retirement bonus and decided to take it. Maybe Tommy wanted to avoid any embarrassment that may come from the Civil Service Board hearing.

“Shane has been an old friend of mine. I've known him for a long, long time. Back when he first started patrol. And I appreciate what he's done for Bossier City. And I hope he has a lot of fun in his retirement." -- Mayor Tommy Chandler

Tommy is now able to get the police chief that he wants now that this drama is over. Meanwhile, this has made his administration continue to look weak and continuing to struggle to find its footing. Maybe Tommy should have handled this better from day one.