|
PROGRAM
# 363 & 364
GUEST: James T. Butts, Jr.
TITLE: Chief of Police
Who
sets Police Policy in Santa Monica? - Part 1
Santa Monica, Police Chief James T. Butts, Jr. said
“95 to 98 percent of policy changes made in the
Department are made by the Chief of Police.” “That
is what you pay a police chief to do, to be a subject
matter expert, to be a policy maker and to be a decision
maker.” “When I came (to Santa Monica) the
policy allowed us to shoot at fleeing felons. I changed
that” “Now there’s a requirement there
has to be a threat or imminent threat of danger to an
officer, a citizen or another officer, before deadly
force could be used.” When asked if he consulted
with the police union on policy he said, “they
do have a vested interest but they are not the determinant
of policy.” And does the city council ever dictate
policy? Chief Butts says, NEVER.. The reality in our
system of government in Santa Monica the council is
a broad policy-making body for the city as a whole.
They work through the City Manager, who works with the
department heads of which I am one. The reality is that
while input may be given …the ultimate decision-maker…is
the Chief of Police.”
Emmy-winning
Chief Works With Media To Solve Crime - Part 2
(5-23-03) Having been featured on the national news
jogging with then-President Bill Clinton, Santa Monica
Police Chief James T. Butts Jr. is the media representative
for his department. “There is a whole different
dynamic when it comes to getting in front of microphones…”
“…and police chiefs, by the nature of our
experience in our jobs, tend to develop more experience
and expertise in dealing with those interviews.”
After explaining the purpose of his new SWAT team and
how he works with the police union, the Chief underlined
how he works with the media to solve crimes. The Chief
says “Santa Monica is a place of interest for the
media. I think to a large degree they like to hang out
there and dine at our restaurants as well. But it comes
with the position. And wherever there’s a major
crime of any import in our City, it gets a lot of media
attention.”
Chief Butts has won an Emmy for Executive Producing
a short documentary entitled “Every 15 Minutes
For My Friends.”
|
