Metro sees shakeup in executive posts

Cathy Scott

Monday, Nov. 25, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Metro Police Deputy Chief Frank Barker has asked Sheriff Jerry Keller to be returned to his previous job as a captain, prompting an executive shakeup in the department.

"I have been experiencing a great deal of frustration recently at not being able to accomplish the things that I know need to be accomplished in this job," the 55-year-old Barker said today. "Because of that frustration I think it's better for me to step aside and let someone else do it. I'll return to an assignment similar to ones I've held in the past and that I was successful at and satisfied with my level of performance."

Barker, a 32-year veteran with Metro, said his frustrations were "internal."

"It's my inability to get the job done to my satisfaction," he said. "I am going back to captain entirely of my own choice."

Before he was appointed to deputy chief, Barker headed the intelligence services bureau.

As deputy chief, he oversees the communications bureau, general services and the information services bureau.

Barker will take over the downtown area command, replacing Capt. Greg Jolley. Jolley's new assignment is to oversee vice and narcotics.

A personnel order was being signed by the sheriff this morning, spokesman Phil Roland said.

Capt. Michael Zagorski, 44, a 19-year veteran in charge of the detective bureau, is being appointed to deputy chief, overseeing human resources. New assignments for the deputy chiefs were being released this morning.

Metro has six deputy chiefs who are appointed by the sheriff. The only other position between the chiefs and the sheriff is the undersheriff.

Another change, effective Saturday, is a swap between homicide Lt. Larry Spinosa, 41 years old and a 16-year veteran, and robbery Lt. Wayne Petersen, 42, who has been with Metro for 17 years.

In November 1994, shortly after he was elected, Keller announced a new top staff for Metro, reassigning three top deputies and promoting three captains. The appointments were effective January 1995, when Keller took office.

Barker, who heads the technical services division, was appointed to one of five deputy chief positions. Keller also added a third position, that of a sixth deputy chief, Paul Conner, to oversee human resources, payroll, personnel, risk management and employee relations, reporting directly to Keller.