Change of Command: Jerry Hoover, right, and acting Reno Police Chief Jim Weston, at press conference to announce Hoover's selection as police in in May 1997.

RENO POLICE OFFICERS PREFER A MORE EXPERIENCED CANDIDATE
by Jim Gibbs

Reno police officers accused City Manager Charles McNeely of intentionally hurrying his selection of a new chief to thwart their lobbying effort for their favorite candidate, interim Los Angeles Chief Bayan Lewis.

Late Thursday afternoon, McNeely called a sudden news conference to announce his selection of Jerry Hoover, chief at St. Joseph, Mo. His choice is subject to review by the City Council.

In full-page advertisements in the Gazette-Journal Friday and Sunday, the Reno Police Protective Association (RPPA) is asking the community to back their choice of Lewis by calling council members.

RPPA President Ron Dreher said police are not trying to use "muscle" to force selection of Lewis. He said they believed they had until Tuesday to lobby for Lewis.

Dreher and a sampling of others on Friday said they don't believe the lobbying efforts will undermine Hoover. "No way." Dreher said, adding that he personally will support Hoover if he's confirmed.

Asked if there is a such a perception. Sgt. Tom Walsh replied, "I don't think so, and I'll support any chief."

However, he said. "Lewis' training advantages would have been fantastic. He said a Gazette-Journal story Wednesday about the RPPA intent to run newspaper ads in support of Lewis prompted McNeely to call the news conference. McNeely denies that.

Dreher accused McNeely of lying by telling him Lewis was no longer interested in the Reno chief's job and that Lewis withdrew his name from further consideration. He said Lewis told him he did not withdraw.

"We want the community to know the most qualified person in the U.S. was being rejected," Dreher said.

The RPPA did not know until Wednesday which way McNeely was leaning. Dreher said. When they found out, they decided to run the ads.

"I polled the more than 250 non-supervisory officers in the RPPA. We had 99 percent vote to support Bayan Lewis. Then. the nine-member board of directors voted to endorse Bavan Lewis," he said.

Dreher and members don't have anything against Hoover, but believe Lewis has more experience and better qualifications.

"Reno shouldn't be a classroom for a police chief;" he said. "We're not questioning his willingness, just his experience and qualifications."

Dreher said McNeely made his choice without any input from Acting Chief Jim Weston, Sparks Chief John Dotson, Sheriff Dick Kirkland or former Reno Chief Bob Bradshaw.

Deputy District Attorney Tom Viloria. who works closely with police on criminal cases, said, "From a personal perspective, I'd like to see a chief with more experience in areas that affect the city, such as gangs. But I'll support the Chief whoever he is:" Deputy Chief Nile Carson said the command staff discussed the situation. "We'll support the chief who is selected by the city manager and confirmed by the City Council as any professional would be expected to do."

He said he doubts there is a perception of the RPPA undermining Hoover, but he would rather the RPPA would not have run the newspaper ads.

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