UPDATED: On Wednesday after the story was published, Franklin City Manager sent the following email response: The City of Franklin has full confidence in its police department under the leadership of Chief Goldstein. Further, the City is disappointed that the union did not choose a more appropriate forum, such as the upcoming negotiations, in which to raise their concerns. Chief Goldstein has recruited top officers, instituted progressive policies, provided excellent equipment as well as programs and opportunities for members of the department to thrive in the areas of community policing, bicycle patrols, K-9 programs, special operations unit, victim advocacy, etc. The Police Department proudly supports employees, leadership and citizens of the City of Franklin and will continue to do so.
By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org
FRANKLIN – The Franklin Police Patrolman’s Association has issued a statement of no confidence against Police Chief David Goldstein saying his “absentee leadership has led to retaliatory and unjust treatment of union members.”
The patrolman’s union has 10 members but will soon have nine because one officer is leaving.
Goldstein, who retired from New Hampshire State Police as a captain in 2004, has been the chief of the Franklin Police Department since 2009. From 2004 to 2009, Goldstein served as police chief in Winthrop, Mass.
“Preferential treatment and cronyism run amok under (Goldstein’s) supervision. A member who speaks out or attempts to acknowledge such is ostracized either directly by Chief Goldstein and or his subordinate leaders,” the no confidence vote states.
Union members have experienced a loss of earning capacity, assignments, training opportunities and low morale, the no confidence statement says.
Union president Jacob Drouin was put on paid administrative leave the night before the union vote on the no confidence issue, but said he can’t speak about that matter at this time.
The no confidence vote also names command staff and administration including Lt. Daniel Poirier, Lt. Ralph Hale Jr. and city manager Judie Milner. Goldstein, Poirier, Hale and Milner did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
Drouin notified Goldstein and the others named in the vote on Sunday.
“Throughout the years and more so recently we have had concerns with Chief Goldstein’s leadership and direction or lack thereof.
“When members grieved their mistreatment to Chief Goldstein he failed to act with compassion and understanding or willingness to listen.”
The union says Goldstein in most circumstances would “blindly support subordinate leadership and refused to communicate with aggrieved members and or representatives.”
“This has brought forth concerns about his leadership, competence, trust with members, decision making, the direction of the department and the use of department talent and resources.”