The Official MyBossier Blog about Bossier and North Louisiana since 2007! We've been holding local people, events, and politicians accountable ever since. :-)
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Race is On
If you've been looking for a sign that election season is here . . .
Julian is truly one of the best people I know. He is a Christian, very honorable, and extremely knowledgeable about the Sheriff’s Office. He truly cares about the Bossier Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Bossier Parish. Julian is definitely the most qualified and best person for Sheriff of Bossier Parish. He will do a great job!
AHH election season. let the lies and promises never to be kept begin. I know Julian as well and won't be voting for him simply because he supports the good ol boy system of doing things. Anyone who stands by and doesn't have the guts to tell Larry Deen he's wrong is not someone with good morals or ethics.His knowledge of the Sheriffs office consists of doing favors for the who's who of Bossier Parish and protecting the affluent.
Well, Sammy boy, I guess it is a good thing that you didn't make City Marshal since you think Whittington is an honorable man. I agree with JC, there is no honor in a man who stands by and lets a tyrant rule with an iron fist. We in the S.O. know that Whittington is weak and all those favors that he has promised LD's old backers will once again run Bossier Parish. We again wont be able to police those who are above the law and It seems that McConnell is the only one running who has any moral fiber.
Jim, Im disappointed in your site. You havent interviewed Mr. John Hall Matlock, he is running for sheriff too ya know. Looks like you have endorced Mr. Whittington with your subliminal photos of him and his signs. What about Duke Lowrey, Jeff Thompson or any of the folks running for Police Jury? What about photos of them or have you bought into the Deen/Whittington hog-wash too?
I have run something on Duke Lowrie. I ran a couple of things for Mike McConnell. I also ran an announcement for Mark Toloso and did a profile on him. I haven't heard from Mr. Matlock or from Jeff Thompson. The offer in the right sidebar stands, if you are running for public office and want something published in My Bossier, send it to me.
I would like to hear Mr. Whittington's explanation of why he stood by at let Larry Deen do the things he did. And the I wanted to keep my job excuse won't get it. I would also like to know why he quit when he fell out of good graces with Mr. Deen and was demoted to the jail. Sounds like something a baby would do. If you don't get your way or someone pulls your binkey(Larry's Butt in this case)away then you throw a fit and quit. Now explain to me how that makes him a good leader
Oh come on Jim, you coud have taken a photo for your article of all the police jury signs on every corner up here in Plain Dealing, but you opted to take a photo of Julian Whittington instead. That you were a smart man.
I didn't take a photo of Julian Whittington, it was sent out with his announcement. Why don't you send me pictures of all the signs in Plain Dealing and I'll post them.
Jason C, I'm still not buying into this whole falling out with Larry Dean. I believe he knew that Larry Dean was going to retire therefore he retired and announced his intention to run for Sherriff before Larry made his announcement. Julian does not have the backbone to run against Larry Dean heads up. As far as getting an answer to why he did nothing all those years. Good Luck. He's not answering that question. It's his election to lose and he is not going to open that can of worms. If McConnell is smart he would pour it on when it comes to that question. So far it appears he is going to try and play the nice guy routine. Bad strategy.
Anon 10:23, It's getting really pathetic that you can only use the fact that Mike worked for more than one department. I guess you would vote for him if he had a family member that was Sherriff and gave him a high ranking position, paid him $100,000 a year after doing absolutely nothing to earn it. The fact is most police officers have worked for more than one agency. Why is that such a big deal? Oh I know why. Because that's the only mud you have to sling. Like it or not, Julian is going to have to answer the question at some point for his lack of police experience and why he turned a blind eye to cousin Larry's antics the past 22 years.
10:23 pm Everyone has quit a job or two or three in thier life to better themselves so get off it, you aren't helping your worthless cause.
I do agree with the posters who speak of Whittington's choice in not ever speaking out against the things Larry Deen has done over the years which means he condoned it.
If my memory serves me correctly, McConnell was the only person to come out against Deen in 22 years and wasn't he the one who exposed Deen's secretary making $115k a year and Deen covering it up? I bet Whittington knew about that and He said nothing.
I also am skeptical of Whittington and Deen's so called fued. As of yet, Whittington has not made mention of the bazaar things Deen has done over the years which makes me think he is afraid to and that there is no fued at all.
And, since when is being the Chief Criminal Deputy being transfered to being the Chief Corrections Deputy a DEMOTION? A Chief Deputy is a Chief Deputy is a Chief Deputy. He didn't lose his days off, he lost no pay, he lost nothing! It was a simple transfer just like millions of transfers of other subordinates in every other law enforcement department across the country. Somebody has to do it, why not Whittington?
Truth be know, Whittington is weak and he only made it to where he did is because of the promise cousin Deen made to Whittington's daddy back in 1987 and nothing more. People are talkin up here and the question has come up more than once. Is Whittington strong enough to be sheriff? If the question is being asked, then probably not.
I too am skeptical of the fued between the cousins. I agree that Julian is part of the problem because he covered for Larry all those years by being silent. I think that a vote for Julian is the same as a vote for Deen.
We talk about wanting to change the good old boy system in the city and the parish and here is a chance to move in that direction by voting against the status quo. I doubt if that happens. We will continue along the same path because of name recognition.
Perhaps Whittington and Deen did have a falling out....I question Whittington's character as he has yet to take any sort of stand against the nepotism and questionable use of tax dollars at BPSO after his departure....Electing Whittington will simply ensure that the same old policies will stay alive....Kiss babies, don't write tickets, take detectives off cases to search for tractors, and occasionally throw in some law enforcement.
im not sure what all this standing up to larry dean is all about. whittington has an impreccable track record of honesty. If there was something criminal going on with Deen im sure whittington would do something, however "standing up" to an arrogant tyrant for the sake of simply speaking your mind carries absolutely no weight and results in demotion or dismissal-so why would anyone with a family do that? risk your whole career so you could be seen as someone who speaks out? the problem is none of the complaints on here have any merit, for example, what EXACTLY should have he stood up against? secretary making too much money? What is he gonna do, lead a group of volunteers to hold signs in front of the courthouse protesting? GET REAL!!!
12:14, You GET REAL. Standing by and being silent while unethical, maybe even criminal, spending and use if tax payer money is not being very honest to me. The fact is he is retired now and Deen is also retiring. Yet he still hasn't addressed all the unethical "things" that seen did over the years and what he plans on doing to change that and move BPSO into the future. All he has done so far is give us his resume and as far as I'm concerned it really isn't that impressive. Bottom line is he is too weak to be a leader. His career of being Larry Deen's pet is definitive proof of that.
ok annon. 12:14. I'll give you a good example I was present at. A very wealthy Benton resident was stopped and found to be DWI, Mr. deen called that deputy and told him not to arrest him but to take him home on more than one occasion. And I have heard of that happening to others as well.
That last post was interesting. If that is what happened (L Deen telling deputy to take person home)then the High Sheriff is in violation of the law and it is called "Malfeasance in Office"
YOU appear to be the one who is aware of all of these suggested unethical and illegal activities. My question to you is, if you are IN FACT aware of these allegations, how come YOU did not do anything about it??? I heard this and I heard that doesn't cut it. Why didn't YOU MAN up and report to the FBI? All the ranting and raving about what Whittington SHOULD have done is completely unfounded and baseless.
"All he has done is hand over his resume and it really isn't that impressive"
What type of resume are you looking for? This guy is a career law enforcement guy with no one apparently besides you questioning his ethics.
Lastly, please provide an example of whittington being deen's pet. Are you a disgruntled deputy who got passed over perhaps due to being inept? That would certainly make sense.
anon 12:14, so in this example you claim YOU were present correct? If that is the case, what is the name of the wealthy Benton resident that was let go on DWI? Also, do you have a copy of the report you submitted to the DA's office, or perhaps the Attorney General's office?
and even if that were true, which I do not deny is a distinct possibility, what in the heck does that have to do with Whittington? Do you think Larry cleared this through Whittington? Again, GET REAL!
To the BPSO deputy who said "Julian is not an honorable man because he stood by and let a tyrant rule with an iron fist", you sir might look at your own position of allowing that to happen since you did nothing to stop it. As far as being able to police those who are above the law, if you do not enforce the law you are yourself are showing no moral fiber
The only problem with being a whistleblower in Bossier is it only gets you fired or demoted. In Chubby Knights' case arrested. I remember a deputy not too long ago who called the "Inquistor" and informed them of Larry Deen's antics. He was demoted to the jail. The "inquisitor" began an investigation but after a few weeks of bad press, Larry Deen bought them off and that was the end you heard of that. That is why no one speaks up against crooked politicians. They have millions of dollars of tax payers money to defeat any opposition. Here is the problem with the ones who are calling out the BPSO for not saying anything. They are not the ones running for Sherriff. They are not the one asking to be in charge of millions of tax payer dollars. Julian Whittington is asking for that privilege yet he and his supporters feel he doesn't have to explain while being the "right hand man" of Larry Deen he did nothing while Deen went crazy. He did it to keep his job. We get it. But now he is retired and has nothing to lose but yet he remains silent. No excuses anymore.
First, I have known Julian longer than I can remember and he has never been anything, but honorable.
Second, it seems that the only negative thing that anyone can say is that he failed to challenge the sheriff on accusations of wrong doing founded solely upon hearsay. When you make accusations against a public official whether it is in Bossier Parish, Baton Rouge, or Washington DC you must have proof or in the very least evidence. The fact that you heard something from someone else is called hearsay and is almost always inadmissible. Only someone who was either present when the action occurred or has some hard evidence can maintain such accusations.
Julian will make a fine sheriff. He has occupied nearly every post in the department at one time or another and truly loves Bossier Parish and its citizens. As a lifelong resident of Bossier Parish, I can think of no other person who is more qualified to protect the citizens of Bossier Parish and help move Bossier Parish forward.
6:27 "...more qualified to protect the citizens..." I laugh at this. We must be speaking of two differant people. Whittington has no experience with crime. He spent a short time in those positions on his was to the top just like Dempsey. Whittington hardly arrested anyone (if ever). Never worked a shooting, killing, robbery, home invasion, or rape. He did however, teach kids to stay away from drugs, and if you are up on DARE stats, its a touchy feely program that only has short term effects and does not deter kids from taking drugs.
Well, the strategy of this election cycle is now apparent, bash, trash, cloud the field, and make them the bad guy, everyone your candidate has to compete against. All this is done to make up for your candidate’s inabilities, capabilities, lack of leadership experience and when the dust clears; your candidate may stand a chance to be elected. I guess he will be riding great white horse before it is all over, said and done! I am sure you all are about to jump on me now, well that lets others rest a bit, have your fun!!!
OLEPRO--if you would slow down, let your lips cool down. take a break from spreading manure about, something you apparently know very little about and just look up the true facts about the bpso. such as crimes solved, crime rate in the parish and all other facts pertaining to law enforcement. you will find that bpso is the highest in the state on crimes solved, and one of the lowest in overall crime.--now look at caddo parish and spd. very low in crimes solved. very high in crime rate, not a prety picture. you might think that spd was doing very little in law enforcement, however that is what mcconnell has stated, he wants us to be like shreveport. think god it will never happen. he brags about caddo and shreveport but shows no real value in correcting those conditionsl. looks as though he did nothing positive in his extensive law enforcement life. OLEPRO
Sounds to me either your for Whittington or for McConnell. You either want change or you don't. You either want a law enforcement agency or a political office. Either way I don't believe anyone is swaying votes to either side.
OLEPRO what the hell are you talkin about. I have been reading this blog for several years now and not once has McConnell said anything about turning Bossier Parish into Shreveport as you state,
"...now look at caddo parish and spd. very low in crimes solved. very high in crime rate, not a prety picture. you might think that spd was doing very little in law enforcement, however that is what mcconnell has stated, he wants us to be like shreveport."
Please, tell me where he said this? You can't because he didn't. And what the hell do you know about their crimes solved rate? You are an idiot and a LIAR. The tables could be turned and we could be the ones with high crime rate. It is a matter of demographics and nothing more. If we had as big a popualtion of poor, we too would have a high crime rate. Your ignorance is showing.
Julian Whittington is a fine and honorable man. I would be thrilled to see him as our next Sheriff. He will correct the problems in the Bossier Sheriffs office with a fair and honest approach. Julian knows the challenges he faces and is the right man for the job.
Mike McConnell is a fine and honorable man. I would be thrilled to see him as our next Sherriff. He will correct the problems of the Bossier Sherriff's office with a fair and honest approach. Mike knows the challenges he faces and is the right man for the job.
it is apparent that julian does not know the problems with the department because it took him how long to resign? oh yea, 22 years. he can only dodge that bullet for so long. hey, i have a good idea, he can ask mcconnell to be his undersheriff like the deal julian gave dempsey.
I don't know what's worse. He stood by and did nothing for 22 years or that maybe he did notcrealize there was a problem because cousin Larry trained him and that was all he knew. Either way it's not good.
Mike McConnell would be no different from the others. He would hire or move his friends into positions of authority and past up more qualified deputies. NO DIFFERENT!
I guess what 11:15 is admitting is that whittington is no different than Larry Deen. Which is what we have been saying all along. I have another question for all the Whittington supporters out there. Most of you jeered Doyle Dempsey because Larry Deen hired him and hurried him through the ranks. But did he do the same fir Julian and at a much quicker pace? Why does Julian get a pass on this issue?
Several friends and others have mentioned several times that they wanted to come and work for me when I make sheriff. My answer to everyone is the same, "can you pass the entrance exam? Can you pass a P.T. test? Can you pass a polygraph and background check? They all reply, "yes". I then tell them that they will have to start in the jail." They look at me as if I am crazy. Under my leadership, positions will no longer be filled by the "good ol boy" system of doing things. Everything will be done with fairness. I will implement an exam for those who wish to move out of the jails and all positions will be filled by first; posting the opening in the department, and second; give an exam for knowledge. These exams will stay in effect for a period of time and then expire, giving those who ranked poorly, the opportunity to study and move up on the next exam. This is fair and this is what will promote morale. This also goes for the administrators for the department, I would hope that all would stay on and work with me. No administrator will loose their jobs- I am not terminating anyones employment when I take office. They have worked with worse, all I ask is that they work with me. These are hard times and I will not subject any hardships on those who work at the department, even if they openly support Chief Whittington. I cannot find fault with anyone on this matter, they are doing what they think is best for them and their families.
A lot of people (not you, Mr. McConnell) want to demonize the opponent of the person they are supporting. Is it possible that we have three decent individuals with different backgrounds running? A positive approach would win a lot more people to your side.
5:11 pm I would say that you are correct on your assessment of the candidates. I have never met Chief Whittington nor Mr. Mattlock, and can only say that when it comes down to voting time, the citizens will make a decision on what type of sheriff they want running this parish. They will either elect a seasoned administrator or a seasoned law man. I am sorry for not adding Mr. Mattlock into this but I do not know anything about him other than he retired from the sheriff's office. No malice intended.
Huh, well I'll be damned, I though McConnell got run off with all the OVERKILL signs put out by Whittington. McConnell's got big ones to run against the rich and powerfull machine.
mike, i think you are delusional if you think you have any chance of winning this race, you are sadly mistaken unless you have some major platform that has yet to emerge, and even then you will need at least $400,000 to have a shot. I see races like this and I wonder if some candidates are just completely over-confident and don't see the real picture, or just enjoy the idea of having run for something.
9:00, What is Whittington's platform. I'm related to Larry Deen and I was promised the job when he retired platform? It's comments like yours that give underdogs a chance.
well annon 9:00 It appears that you will be voting for whom ever spends the most amount of money. Why don't you look at where all that money came from. Mr. whittington had a fund raising dinner rumored to be $2500 a plate. Now who do you think went to that dinner. Yep the Larry Deen cronnies and the rich. Why not make it affordable for the average man to attend, oh yea Julian doesn't care about us. He is more concerned with trying to buy this election just as cousin Larry did for the last 20+ years.How many political favors is he going to have to repay for that, how many more crimes is he going to have to cover up like Larry did to pay those "donaters" back. Do any of you that are bad-mouthing Mr. McConnell even know him or know what his plans are or you just buying in to the BS that some Whittington supporter is posting on here. Base your vote on facts not rumors people.
Whittington's claim to fame at BPSO is that he was head of the DARE program yet there are more young people being arrested for drugs in Bossier Parish now than ever before. At least that what I read in the paper everyday.
Can you all hear what is being said on this blog? My candidate is better than yours. My candidate has big ones to stand up for this and that. Why don’t you just promote your candidate’s leadership qualities and their platform in which they stand? Do not stoop to defamatory remarks about one’s character because you can? Give us information so we can make an informed decision in whom we want to protect us. This does not improve your candidate’s chances of winning; in fact, it brings your character into question. I am sure that each of the candidates are fine men and wants the best for the parish.
What about the deputy that threated the appliance retailer, the deputies that stripped down the lady with no female deputies present and she did not even have a warrant for her arrest, will he give his reall name if he gets stop for speeding, if a deputy is beating his wife will he be arrested. this is just the tip of the ice burge!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I still have not heard Whittington talk or discuss anything about what he intends to do or change at the Bossier Sheriff's Office. Will he add more patrol deptuies to the streets of the growing parish? What does he think about women on patrol? Also, just because his name is "Whittington" does not mean he will make a good Sheriff.
Seems that Whittington is "compensating" for something with all his campaign signs. Everywhere I go in Bossier I seen his signs and to tell the truth, I am ashamed of the way he has promoted this race. I guess money will buy the Sheriff's office agian! Its overkill if you aske me!
I work at SPd, but was hired after Mike left. I heard that he invited his twin brother to work for him if he is given the opportunity to be Sheriff and told his brother that he would have to start in the jail and be promoted to patrol and then work his way up the professional ladder by getting in line and waiting his turn. You say that Mcconnell would promote his freinds just like Deen did, but if he wont show favorites to his own relatives, there is no way he will show any to his friends.
My brother and I did speak about him being hired after I became Sheriff and I told him that I would not hire him anytime in the near future, but maybe in a few years. I did advise him that if he got hired, he would have to start in the jail just like everyone else. I will not, under any circumstances, lead this sheriff's office the way Sheriff Deen and Chief Whittington have for the past 22 years.
I like a lot of what you have said, especially about taking up all the special deputy badges purchased and carried by supporters.
But I believe you should rethink the idea of making everyone start off in the jail. If you do as you say and improve the department, a lot of capable and qualified officers looking to relocate there from other agencies will pass if they have to start off as a jailer. And you will miss the opportunity to hire some really good deputies.
I worked at the sheriff's office in the 1980's, and I started off as a jailer (I am no longer there). But I remember a lot of tension and morale problems among jailers who were passed over for transfers to patrol by those who were more qualified.
Let me say this though . . . jailers have a very difficult job, and I truly admire their service. But there are many deputies who make great jailers but do not have the qualities needed to work patrol.
I know Julian personally and worked with him many years ago when I was a deputy. I've been gone a long time, but a lot of what I have heard about how the department is now is the same as it was back then, and the reason I resigned.
But remember this . . . Deen was overwhelmingly elected by the people and ran virtually unopposed since being elected. It appeared the people were pleased with how he ran the agency and no one wanted to challenge him for the office. So what right did Julian or anyone within the department have to question Deen? After all, he was serving following a mandate by the people. So you ask why didn't Julian speak out, or why he stood by Deen? Well, it may have taken over 20 years, but he waited patiently for the right time to challenge the system, and now he will be the new sheriff. So let's at least give him a chance to prove himself. If he doesn't, friend or not, I will be the first on here to criticize him.
But I do believe he will be a good sheriff. I remained in law enforcement and have been promoted through the ranks at my new agency. Each time I was promoted I brought the good qualities of my supervisors with me while leaving the bad qualities behind. Hopefully Julian will do the same.
Not so quick sparky!! Mr. Whittington did not resign at the right time to become sheriff like you say. He resigned 3 years early because Mr. McConnell jumped out there first and forced him to. Sheriff Deen would have run one more term which would put Mr. Whittington 1 year over his 30 year mark and 55 years old and collect his retirement. But Sheriff Deen would have retired in the middle of his term and handed the reins over the Mr. Whittinton to run the Sheriff's Department for 2 years, thus cementing his fortune. Sounds as if you belive the crap somebody has been feeding you.
First, if Julian started in 1988 and recently retired, that means he worked there for 22 to 23 years. Had Deen taken another term, that would be five more years (one year left on this term and four more during the next). How does that equal 31 years?
Second, from all accounts, Deen was prepared to hand the department over to Dempsey, not Whittington.
Thirdly, I have had no contact with any deputies about the election and minimal contact with Julian. No one has fed me any crap.
Lastly, I understand Julian's father is very wealthy, so it seems to me his fortune has been sealed for a long time.
It was just a thought. I disagree with a lot of decisions and actions in my current agency, and it is a good agency. But the agency head was placed there to run the department, and it's our job to carry out his mission, whether we agree with it or not. I just submit that maybe Julian was doing the same. Maybe not. I was just thinking out loud and wanted to give the readers another perspective.
And I agree about McConnell. He got this whole thing kicked off. I don't know him but he sounds like he is on the right track. But unfortunately for him and his supporters, he will not be a factor in this election.
Bottom Line. I know Whittington, I don't know Mike, MIKE IS THE BETTER CHOICE PEOPLE. Get your heads out if the sand and vote for the guy with the vision, not the ones with the most signs. If it were the Bossier parish SIGN Department, then Whittington would be the best choice.....
Rules of the road: 1. No personal attacks or insults. 2. No accustory statements about wrongdoing or criminal acts against anyone. 3. Say all you want about the pros and cons concerning the candidates and the issues, or the general subject of the blog post, just follow Rule #1 and Rule #2.
Julian is truly one of the best people I know. He is a Christian, very honorable, and extremely knowledgeable about the Sheriff’s Office. He truly cares about the Bossier Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Bossier Parish. Julian is definitely the most qualified and best person for Sheriff of Bossier Parish. He will do a great job!
ReplyDeleteAHH election season. let the lies and promises never to be kept begin. I know Julian as well and won't be voting for him simply because he supports the good ol boy system of doing things. Anyone who stands by and doesn't have the guts to tell Larry Deen he's wrong is not someone with good morals or ethics.His knowledge of the Sheriffs office consists of doing favors for the who's who of Bossier Parish and protecting the affluent.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jason C. but you have to admire Julian for all his hard work putting the signs together.
ReplyDeleteWell, Sammy boy, I guess it is a good thing that you didn't make City Marshal since you think Whittington is an honorable man. I agree with JC, there is no honor in a man who stands by and lets a tyrant rule with an iron fist. We in the S.O. know that Whittington is weak and all those favors that he has promised LD's old backers will once again run Bossier Parish. We again wont be able to police those who are above the law and It seems that McConnell is the only one running who has any moral fiber.
ReplyDeleteWhen will the citizens of this parish learn.
Jim, Im disappointed in your site. You havent interviewed Mr. John Hall Matlock, he is running for sheriff too ya know. Looks like you have endorced Mr. Whittington with your subliminal photos of him and his signs.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Duke Lowrey, Jeff Thompson or any of the folks running for Police Jury?
What about photos of them or have you bought into the Deen/Whittington hog-wash too?
I have run something on Duke Lowrie. I ran a couple of things for Mike McConnell. I also ran an announcement for Mark Toloso and did a profile on him.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard from Mr. Matlock or from Jeff Thompson.
The offer in the right sidebar stands, if you are running for public office and want something published in My Bossier, send it to me.
I would like to hear Mr. Whittington's explanation of why he stood by at let Larry Deen do the things he did. And the I wanted to keep my job excuse won't get it. I would also like to know why he quit when he fell out of good graces with Mr. Deen and was demoted to the jail. Sounds like something a baby would do. If you don't get your way or someone pulls your binkey(Larry's Butt in this case)away then you throw a fit and quit. Now explain to me how that makes him a good leader
ReplyDeleteOh come on Jim, you coud have taken a photo for your article of all the police jury signs on every corner up here in Plain Dealing, but you opted to take a photo of Julian Whittington instead. That you were a smart man.
ReplyDeleteTalking about quitters, huh! Track record for McConnel is Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office - Quit, Shrevport Police - Quit, Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office - Quit!
ReplyDeleteI didn't take a photo of Julian Whittington, it was sent out with his announcement. Why don't you send me pictures of all the signs in Plain Dealing and I'll post them.
ReplyDeleteJason C,
ReplyDeleteI'm still not buying into this whole falling out with Larry Dean. I believe he knew that Larry Dean was going to retire therefore he retired and announced his intention to run for Sherriff before Larry made his announcement. Julian does not have the backbone to run against Larry Dean heads up.
As far as getting an answer to why he did nothing all those years. Good Luck. He's not answering that question. It's his election to lose and he is not going to open that can of worms. If McConnell is smart he would pour it on when it comes to that question. So far it appears he is going to try and play the nice guy routine. Bad strategy.
Anon 10:23,
ReplyDeleteIt's getting really pathetic that you can only use the fact that Mike worked for more than one department. I guess you would vote for him if he had a family member that was Sherriff and gave him a high ranking position, paid him $100,000 a year after doing absolutely nothing to earn it.
The fact is most police officers have worked for more than one agency. Why is that such a big deal? Oh I know why. Because that's the only mud you have to sling.
Like it or not, Julian is going to have to answer the question at some point for his lack of police experience and why he turned a blind eye to cousin Larry's antics the past 22 years.
10:23 pm
ReplyDeleteEveryone has quit a job or two or three in thier life to better themselves so get off it, you aren't helping your worthless cause.
I do agree with the posters who speak of Whittington's choice in not ever speaking out against the things Larry Deen has done over the years which means he condoned it.
If my memory serves me correctly, McConnell was the only person to come out against Deen in 22 years and wasn't he the one who exposed Deen's secretary making $115k a year and Deen covering it up? I bet Whittington knew about that and He said nothing.
I also am skeptical of Whittington and Deen's so called fued. As of yet, Whittington has not made mention of the bazaar things Deen has done over the years which makes me think he is afraid to and that there is no fued at all.
And, since when is being the Chief Criminal Deputy being transfered to being the Chief Corrections Deputy a DEMOTION? A Chief Deputy is a Chief Deputy is a Chief Deputy. He didn't lose his days off, he lost no pay, he lost nothing! It was a simple transfer just like millions of transfers of other subordinates in every other law enforcement department across the country. Somebody has to do it, why not Whittington?
Truth be know, Whittington is weak and he only made it to where he did is because of the promise cousin Deen made to Whittington's daddy back in 1987 and nothing more. People are talkin up here and the question has come up more than once. Is Whittington strong enough to be sheriff? If the question is being asked, then probably not.
I too am skeptical of the fued between the cousins. I agree that Julian is part of the problem because he covered for Larry all those years by being silent. I think that a vote for Julian is the same as a vote for Deen.
ReplyDeleteWe talk about wanting to change the good old boy system in the city and the parish and here is a chance to move in that direction by voting against the status quo. I doubt if that happens. We will continue along the same path because of name recognition.
Question for those who keep saying that Deen and Whittington are cousins - can you explain the relationship, how they are cousins?
ReplyDeleteAnon at 9:53.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct. I cannot explain the relationship. I am relying on hearsay which I should not do. In my last post change cousins to men.
Perhaps Whittington and Deen did have a falling out....I question Whittington's character as he has yet to take any sort of stand against the nepotism and questionable use of tax dollars at BPSO after his departure....Electing Whittington will simply ensure that the same old policies will stay alive....Kiss babies, don't write tickets, take detectives off cases to search for tractors, and occasionally throw in some law enforcement.
ReplyDeleteim not sure what all this standing up to larry dean is all about. whittington has an impreccable track record of honesty. If there was something criminal going on with Deen im sure whittington would do something, however "standing up" to an arrogant tyrant for the sake of simply speaking your mind carries absolutely no weight and results in demotion or dismissal-so why would anyone with a family do that? risk your whole career so you could be seen as someone who speaks out? the problem is none of the complaints on here have any merit, for example, what EXACTLY should have he stood up against? secretary making too much money? What is he gonna do, lead a group of volunteers to hold signs in front of the courthouse protesting?
ReplyDeleteGET REAL!!!
12:14,
ReplyDeleteYou GET REAL. Standing by and being silent while unethical, maybe even criminal, spending and use if tax payer money is not being very honest to me.
The fact is he is retired now and Deen is also retiring. Yet he still hasn't addressed all the unethical "things" that seen did over the years and what he plans on doing to change that and move BPSO into the future. All he has done so far is give us his resume and as far as I'm concerned it really isn't that impressive.
Bottom line is he is too weak to be a leader. His career of being Larry Deen's pet is definitive proof of that.
ok annon. 12:14. I'll give you a good example I was present at. A very wealthy Benton resident was stopped and found to be DWI, Mr. deen called that deputy and told him not to arrest him but to take him home on more than one occasion. And I have heard of that happening to others as well.
ReplyDeleteThat last post was interesting. If that is what happened (L Deen telling deputy to take person home)then the High Sheriff is in violation of the law and it is called "Malfeasance in Office"
ReplyDeleteAnon 12:14
ReplyDeleteYOU appear to be the one who is aware of all of these suggested unethical and illegal activities. My question to you is, if you are IN FACT aware of these allegations, how come YOU did not do anything about it??? I heard this and I heard that doesn't cut it. Why didn't YOU MAN up and report to the FBI? All the ranting and raving about what Whittington SHOULD have done is completely unfounded and baseless.
"All he has done is hand over his resume and it really isn't that impressive"
What type of resume are you looking for? This guy is a career law enforcement guy with no one apparently besides you questioning his ethics.
Lastly, please provide an example of whittington being deen's pet. Are you a disgruntled deputy who got passed over perhaps due to being inept? That would certainly make sense.
anon 12:14, so in this example you claim YOU were present correct? If that is the case, what is the name of the wealthy Benton resident that was let go on DWI? Also, do you have a copy of the report you submitted to the DA's office, or perhaps the Attorney General's office?
ReplyDeleteand even if that were true, which I do not deny is a distinct possibility, what in the heck does that have to do with Whittington? Do you think Larry cleared this through Whittington? Again, GET REAL!
To the BPSO deputy who said "Julian is not an honorable man because he stood by and let a tyrant rule with an iron fist", you sir might look at your own position of allowing that to happen since you did nothing to stop it. As far as being able to police those who are above the law, if you do not enforce the law you are yourself are showing no moral fiber
ReplyDelete11:12,
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing is you are probably one of the ones who is criticizing Mike McConnell for leaving the sherriff's office for that very reason.
The only problem with being a whistleblower in Bossier is it only gets you fired or demoted. In Chubby Knights' case arrested.
ReplyDeleteI remember a deputy not too long ago who called the "Inquistor" and informed them of Larry Deen's antics. He was demoted to the jail. The "inquisitor" began an investigation but after a few weeks of bad press, Larry Deen bought them off and that was the end you heard of that. That is why no one speaks up against crooked politicians. They have millions of dollars of tax payers money to defeat any opposition.
Here is the problem with the ones who are calling out the BPSO for not saying anything. They are not the ones running for Sherriff. They are not the one asking to be in charge of millions of tax payer dollars. Julian Whittington is asking for that privilege yet he and his supporters feel he doesn't have to explain while being the "right hand man" of Larry Deen he did nothing while Deen went crazy. He did it to keep his job. We get it. But now he is retired and has nothing to lose but yet he remains silent. No excuses anymore.
First, I have known Julian longer than I can remember and he has never been anything, but honorable.
ReplyDeleteSecond, it seems that the only negative thing that anyone can say is that he failed to challenge the sheriff on accusations of wrong doing founded solely upon hearsay. When you make accusations against a public official whether it is in Bossier Parish, Baton Rouge, or Washington DC you must have proof or in the very least evidence. The fact that you heard something from someone else is called hearsay and is almost always inadmissible. Only someone who was either present when the action occurred or has some hard evidence can maintain such accusations.
Julian will make a fine sheriff. He has occupied nearly every post in the department at one time or another and truly loves Bossier Parish and its citizens. As a lifelong resident of Bossier Parish, I can think of no other person who is more qualified to protect the citizens of Bossier Parish and help move Bossier Parish forward.
6:27
ReplyDelete"...more qualified to protect the citizens..." I laugh at this. We must be speaking of two differant people. Whittington has no experience with crime. He spent a short time in those positions on his was to the top just like Dempsey. Whittington hardly arrested anyone (if ever). Never worked a shooting, killing, robbery, home invasion, or rape. He did however, teach kids to stay away from drugs, and if you are up on DARE stats, its a touchy feely program that only has short term effects and does not deter kids from taking drugs.
The choice is clear.
June 28, 2011 6:27 AM
ReplyDeleteI can only echo my sentiments on the above post. Very well said and true.
Julian will go in with 75% to 80% of the vote,but keep working at it and you might knock it down a percent.
ReplyDeleteHow the hell was Chubby Knight a whistle blower? He broke the law.
ReplyDeleteWell, the strategy of this election cycle is now apparent, bash, trash, cloud the field, and make them the bad guy, everyone your candidate has to compete against. All this is done to make up for your candidate’s inabilities, capabilities, lack of leadership experience and when the dust clears; your candidate may stand a chance to be elected. I guess he will be riding great white horse before it is all over, said and done! I am sure you all are about to jump on me now, well that lets others rest a bit, have your fun!!!
ReplyDeleteOLEPRO--if you would slow down, let your lips cool down. take a break from spreading manure about, something you apparently know very little about and just look up the true facts about the bpso. such as crimes solved, crime rate in the parish and all other facts pertaining to law enforcement. you will find that bpso is the highest in the state on crimes solved, and one of the lowest in overall crime.--now look at caddo parish and spd. very low in crimes solved. very high in crime rate, not a prety picture. you might think that spd was doing very little in law enforcement, however that is what mcconnell has stated, he wants us to be like shreveport. think god it will never happen. he brags about caddo and shreveport but shows no real value in correcting those conditionsl. looks as though he did nothing positive in his extensive law enforcement life. OLEPRO
ReplyDeleteSounds to me either your for Whittington or for McConnell. You either want change or you don't. You either want a law enforcement agency or a political office. Either way I don't believe anyone is swaying votes to either side.
ReplyDeleteIt is a political office and encompasses much more than law enforcement in the rural areas.
ReplyDeleteOLEPRO what the hell are you talkin about. I have been reading this blog for several years now and not once has McConnell said anything about turning Bossier Parish into Shreveport as you state,
ReplyDelete"...now look at caddo parish and spd. very low in crimes solved. very high in crime rate, not a prety picture. you might think that spd was doing very little in law enforcement, however that is what mcconnell has stated, he wants us to be like shreveport."
Please, tell me where he said this? You can't because he didn't. And what the hell do you know about their crimes solved rate? You are an idiot and a LIAR. The tables could be turned and we could be the ones with high crime rate. It is a matter of demographics and nothing more. If we had as big a popualtion of poor, we too would have a high crime rate. Your ignorance is showing.
Julian Whittington is a fine and honorable man. I would be thrilled to see him as our next Sheriff. He will correct the problems in the Bossier Sheriffs office with a fair and honest approach. Julian knows the challenges he faces and is the right man for the job.
ReplyDeleteMike McConnell is a fine and honorable man. I would be thrilled to see him as our next Sherriff. He will correct the problems of the Bossier Sherriff's office with a fair and honest approach. Mike knows the challenges he faces and is the right man for the job.
ReplyDeleteit is apparent that julian does not know the problems with the department because it took him how long to resign? oh yea, 22 years. he can only dodge that bullet for so long. hey, i have a good idea, he can ask mcconnell to be his undersheriff like the deal julian gave dempsey.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know who this Matlock guy is?
ReplyDeleteI don't know what's worse. He stood by and did nothing for 22 years or that maybe he did notcrealize there was a problem because cousin Larry trained him and that was all he knew. Either way it's not good.
ReplyDeleteMike McConnell would be no different from the others. He would hire or move his friends into positions of authority and past up more qualified deputies. NO DIFFERENT!
ReplyDeleteBull.... He has already said that he is implimenting a rank structure and fairness across the board. Try another lie
ReplyDeleteI guess what 11:15 is admitting is that whittington is no different than Larry Deen. Which is what we have been saying all along.
ReplyDeleteI have another question for all the Whittington supporters out there. Most of you jeered Doyle Dempsey because Larry Deen hired him and hurried him through the ranks. But did he do the same fir Julian and at a much quicker pace? Why does Julian get a pass on this issue?
Im going to love reading their justifications on that question.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Julian should not be upset that Deen promoted Dempsey up the ladder so fast, he was promoted the same way.
ReplyDeleteSeveral friends and others have mentioned several times that they wanted to come and work for me when I make sheriff. My answer to everyone is the same, "can you pass the entrance exam? Can you pass a P.T. test? Can you pass a polygraph and background check? They all reply, "yes". I then tell them that they will have to start in the jail." They look at me as if I am crazy. Under my leadership, positions will no longer be filled by the "good ol boy" system of doing things. Everything will be done with fairness. I will implement an exam for those who wish to move out of the jails and all positions will be filled by first; posting the opening in the department, and second; give an exam for knowledge. These exams will stay in effect for a period of time and then expire, giving those who ranked poorly, the opportunity to study and move up on the next exam. This is fair and this is what will promote morale. This also goes for the administrators for the department, I would hope that all would stay on and work with me. No administrator will loose their jobs- I am not terminating anyones employment when I take office. They have worked with worse, all I ask is that they work with me. These are hard times and I will not subject any hardships on those who work at the department, even if they openly support Chief Whittington. I cannot find fault with anyone on this matter, they are doing what they think is best for them and their families.
ReplyDeleteI AM the right man for this job.
A lot of people (not you, Mr. McConnell) want to demonize the opponent of the person they are supporting.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible that we have three decent individuals with different backgrounds running?
A positive approach would win a lot more people to your side.
5:11 pm
ReplyDeleteI would say that you are correct on your assessment of the candidates. I have never met Chief Whittington nor Mr. Mattlock, and can only say that when it comes down to voting time, the citizens will make a decision on what type of sheriff they want running this parish. They will either elect a seasoned administrator or a seasoned law man. I am sorry for not adding Mr. Mattlock into this but I do not know anything about him other than he retired from the sheriff's office. No malice intended.
Huh, well I'll be damned, I though McConnell got run off with all the OVERKILL signs put out by Whittington. McConnell's got big ones to run against the rich and powerfull machine.
ReplyDeleteI'm sick of looking at them already.
mike, i think you are delusional if you think you have any chance of winning this race, you are sadly mistaken unless you have some major platform that has yet to emerge, and even then you will need at least $400,000 to have a shot. I see races like this and I wonder if some candidates are just completely over-confident and don't see the real picture, or just enjoy the idea of having run for something.
ReplyDelete9:00,
ReplyDeleteWhat is Whittington's platform. I'm related to Larry Deen and I was promised the job when he retired platform? It's comments like yours that give underdogs a chance.
well annon 9:00 It appears that you will be voting for whom ever spends the most amount of money. Why don't you look at where all that money came from. Mr. whittington had a fund raising dinner rumored to be $2500 a plate. Now who do you think went to that dinner. Yep the Larry Deen cronnies and the rich. Why not make it affordable for the average man to attend, oh yea Julian doesn't care about us. He is more concerned with trying to buy this election just as cousin Larry did for the last 20+ years.How many political favors is he going to have to repay for that, how many more crimes is he going to have to cover up like Larry did to pay those "donaters" back. Do any of you that are bad-mouthing Mr. McConnell even know him or know what his plans are or you just buying in to the BS that some Whittington supporter is posting on here. Base your vote on facts not rumors people.
ReplyDeleteWhittington's claim to fame at BPSO is that he was head of the DARE program yet there are more young people being arrested for drugs in Bossier Parish now than ever before. At least that what I read in the paper everyday.
ReplyDeleteCan you all hear what is being said on this blog? My candidate is better than yours. My candidate has big ones to stand up for this and that. Why don’t you just promote your candidate’s leadership qualities and their platform in which they stand? Do not stoop to defamatory remarks about one’s character because you can? Give us information so we can make an informed decision in whom we want to protect us. This does not improve your candidate’s chances of winning; in fact, it brings your character into question. I am sure that each of the candidates are fine men and wants the best for the parish.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the deputy that threated
ReplyDeletethe appliance retailer, the deputies that stripped down the lady with no female deputies present and she did not even have a warrant for her arrest, will he give his reall name if he gets stop for speeding, if a deputy is beating his wife will he be arrested. this is just the tip of the ice burge!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I still have not heard Whittington talk or discuss anything about what he intends to do or change at the Bossier Sheriff's Office. Will he add more patrol deptuies to the streets of the growing parish? What does he think about women on patrol? Also, just because his name is "Whittington" does not mean he will make a good Sheriff.
ReplyDeleteSeems that Whittington is "compensating" for something with all his campaign signs. Everywhere I go in Bossier I seen his signs and to tell the truth, I am ashamed of the way he has promoted this race. I guess money will buy the Sheriff's office agian! Its overkill if you aske me!
ReplyDeleteI work at SPd, but was hired after Mike left. I heard that he invited his twin brother to work for him if he is given the opportunity to be Sheriff and told his brother that he would have to start in the jail and be promoted to patrol and then work his way up the professional ladder by getting in line and waiting his turn. You say that Mcconnell would promote his freinds just like Deen did, but if he wont show favorites to his own relatives, there is no way he will show any to his friends.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous, July 9, 2011 3:14 PM
ReplyDeleteAnd I have some ocean front property in Arizona for sale cheap!
Now you get to hear it from me.
ReplyDeleteMy brother and I did speak about him being hired after I became Sheriff and I told him that I would not hire him anytime in the near future, but maybe in a few years. I did advise him that if he got hired, he would have to start in the jail just like everyone else. I will not, under any circumstances, lead this sheriff's office the way Sheriff Deen and Chief Whittington have for the past 22 years.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI like a lot of what you have said, especially about taking up all the special deputy badges purchased and carried by supporters.
But I believe you should rethink the idea of making everyone start off in the jail. If you do as you say and improve the department, a lot of capable and qualified officers looking to relocate there from other agencies will pass if they have to start off as a jailer. And you will miss the opportunity to hire some really good deputies.
I worked at the sheriff's office in the 1980's, and I started off as a jailer (I am no longer there). But I remember a lot of tension and morale problems among jailers who were passed over for transfers to patrol by those who were more qualified.
Let me say this though . . . jailers have a very difficult job, and I truly admire their service. But there are many deputies who make great jailers but do not have the qualities needed to work patrol.
I know Julian personally and worked with him many years ago when I was a deputy. I've been gone a long time, but a lot of what I have heard about how the department is now is the same as it was back then, and the reason I resigned.
ReplyDeleteBut remember this . . . Deen was overwhelmingly elected by the people and ran virtually unopposed since being elected. It appeared the people were pleased with how he ran the agency and no one wanted to challenge him for the office. So what right did Julian or anyone within the department have to question Deen? After all, he was serving following a mandate by the people. So you ask why didn't Julian speak out, or why he stood by Deen? Well, it may have taken over 20 years, but he waited patiently for the right time to challenge the system, and now he will be the new sheriff. So let's at least give him a chance to prove himself. If he doesn't, friend or not, I will be the first on here to criticize him.
But I do believe he will be a good sheriff. I remained in law enforcement and have been promoted through the ranks at my new agency. Each time I was promoted I brought the good qualities of my supervisors with me while leaving the bad qualities behind. Hopefully Julian will do the same.
Not so quick sparky!! Mr. Whittington did not resign at the right time to become sheriff like you say. He resigned 3 years early because Mr. McConnell jumped out there first and forced him to. Sheriff Deen would have run one more term which would put Mr. Whittington 1 year over his 30 year mark and 55 years old and collect his retirement. But Sheriff Deen would have retired in the middle of his term and handed the reins over the Mr. Whittinton to run the Sheriff's Department for 2 years, thus cementing his fortune.
ReplyDeleteSounds as if you belive the crap somebody has been feeding you.
First, if Julian started in 1988 and recently retired, that means he worked there for 22 to 23 years. Had Deen taken another term, that would be five more years (one year left on this term and four more during the next). How does that equal 31 years?
ReplyDeleteSecond, from all accounts, Deen was prepared to hand the department over to Dempsey, not Whittington.
Thirdly, I have had no contact with any deputies about the election and minimal contact with Julian. No one has fed me any crap.
Lastly, I understand Julian's father is very wealthy, so it seems to me his fortune has been sealed for a long time.
It was just a thought. I disagree with a lot of decisions and actions in my current agency, and it is a good agency. But the agency head was placed there to run the department, and it's our job to carry out his mission, whether we agree with it or not. I just submit that maybe Julian was doing the same. Maybe not. I was just thinking out loud and wanted to give the readers another perspective.
And I agree about McConnell. He got this whole thing kicked off. I don't know him but he sounds like he is on the right track. But unfortunately for him and his supporters, he will not be a factor in this election.
Bottom Line. I know Whittington, I don't know Mike, MIKE IS THE BETTER CHOICE PEOPLE. Get your heads out if the sand and vote for the guy with the vision, not the ones with the most signs. If it were the Bossier parish SIGN Department, then Whittington would be the best choice.....
ReplyDelete