Boulder City recall causes new quarrel

Dan Kulin

Thursday, April 1, 2004 | 11:46 a.m.

Boulder City's looming recall election continues to spark divisions around the city, this time between City Attorney Dave Olsen and the city police officers' association, and a formal complaint about it was sent to state officials this week.

The quarrel is over the association's endorsement of challenger Arn McLean over Boulder City Councilman Mike Pacini. After the endorsement, Olsen told the association it was a "stupid" move, and he changed the way he deals with officers as a result.

Police Detective Joe Ebert, the association president, filed a complaint against the city and Olsen with the state's Local Government Employee-Management Relations Board on Tuesday. The complaint alleges that Olsen tried to coerce the association to change the political endorsement, and that Olsen said any future contact between officers and his office must go through the police chief instead of officers dealing directly with Olsen.

Olsen said that's only partially true and that he has done nothing wrong and will vigorously defend the charges.

"I didn't ask or demand that they change their endorsement," Olsen said. "I told them I thought they were stupid and I wasn't interested in maintaining the casual relationship we enjoyed."

But Ebert said Olsen broke laws protecting the Boulder City Police Protective Association's right to engage in political activity. In a letter to Mayor Bob Ferraro, Ebert said that Olsen created a "hostile work environment" and that Ebert felt that his job was threatened.

"We have a right to make political affiliations and endorsements and we don't want to be intimidated or coerced," Ebert said. "He's trying to dominate and interfere with our association and discipline us because of our political affiliations."

McLean and Pacini are running for council in the special recall election. Early voting begins today and lasts through Saturday. Election Day is April 6.

McLean didn't return telephone messages Wednesday.

Pacini said "it sounds like they already made their decision" on who to endorse before Olsen spoke to Ebert.

"But whatever happened that's between Dave and them," he said.

The recall ballot also includes Ferraro against former City Councilman Bill Smith in a repeat of the June contest, which Ferraro won by 18 votes.

The police association has endorsed Ferraro in the recall election. Early voting is Thursday through Saturday and Tuesday is Election Day.

Olsen said he called Ebert on March 22 because he heard a rumor the association endorsed a candidate and he wanted to see if it was true.

When he and Ebert spoke on the phone that day Olsen said: "My intent was merely to tell them they were stupid."

Olsen said he doesn't think he could threaten Ebert's job.

"I don't have any power or authority over those guys," he said.

Olsen also said ending the casual relationship between his office and police officers shouldn't impact police business.

"Those guys never call me and when they do it's for personal stuff," Olsen said, adding that maybe once every three months he gives advice to an officer on police business.

"But what's the problem with sending them through the chief? It's the chain of command, line of authority," Olsen said.

Ebert said officers call Olsen's office a few times a week for legal advice.

Ebert's complaint alleges that Olsen's actions were caused by his "personal animosity" for the department that arrested the city attorney on drunken driving charges in September.

Olsen said the way he handled the drunken driving charges shows he doesn't blame the police for the arrest. On Tuesday, Olsen entered into a plea deal on the charges.