Most members the Fraternal Order of Police say they have no confidence in Evansville Police Chief Billy Bolin.
The local FOP conducted the confidence vote Wednesday night and large majorities of the members voted against the chief.
Among the questions on the ballot: do you believe the citizens of Evansville are safer and crime has been reduced under Chief Bolin? 78% of the FOP members voted no.
84% of members said the chief doesn’t ensure adequate staffing of motor patrol to provide for the safety of citizens.
84% also said Chief Bolin does not prioritize the duties of law enforcement officers and the everyday functions of the Evansville Police Department over media relations.
Majorities also rejected what the FOP calls Chief Bolin’s elimination of the traditional chain of command, use of taxpayer dollars, and discipline.
Before the vote, Mayor Lloyd Winnecke expressed support for Chief Bolin.
On his Facebook page, Bolin said tensions between the administration and the FOP have been around for all of his 21+ years on the force.
He said the department will “continue to provide the same level of policing” the community expects and deserves.
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In a news release, the FOP said the violent crime rate in Evansville has nearly doubled from 235 per population of 100,000 in 2011 to 402 in 2017.
Meanwhile, the national crime rate during that same time frame remained steady.
The FOP has no power to dismiss the police chief. He serves at the pleasure of the mayor.