LITTLE ROCK BLACK POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 164638 Little Rock, Arkansas 72216-4368 September 16, 2020 Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. City Board of Directors 500 West Markham Little Rock, AR 72201 Mayor and City of Little Rock Board of Directors: ‘The Board of Directors for the Little Rock Black Police Officer's Association called an emergency meeting last evening to discuss a letter you received from ten LRPD Police Commanders. We believe this letter was drafted solely to defy Chief Humphrey's attempt to eradicate years of the Little Rock Police Department (LRPD) operating under a "Good Ole Boy” system of policing; a system built on friendships, nepotism, and racism, which includes only a few minority beneficiaries. We are requesting your assistance in fixing this catastrophic problem, referenced by the commanders, that have existed for many years prior to Chief Humphrey’ arrival, as evidenced by lawsuits filed against previous LRPD Police Administrations. We want you to know that we stand behind Little Rock Police Chief, Keith Humphrey. It has become apparent that Chief Humphrey is being placed in the unfair position of having to manage a Police Department without the support of key police administrative personnel. The numerous complaints and lawsuits he is facing appear to be a call for Chief Humphrey to be fired or constructively discharged. We want Chief Humphrey to be afforded due process and most importantly a fair opportunity to succeed in his job without insubordination, defiance and abuse of process by certain police administrative personnel. There was initially a call for an investigation by disgruntled or discontented employees, the Mayor agreed to investigate, however strangely, lawsuits were filed instead of waiting for the outcome of the investigation. Then in another curious move, after the lawsuits were filed, there is now a call for an investigation, Untruthfulness, leads to this type of double mindedness and unstable behavior. If the complainants wanted an investigation, why file a lawsuit? if the complainants filed a lawsuit, as they soon did after calling for an investigation; why not let due process run its course? This behavior leads practical and logical minds to arrive at the same conclusion City Attorney Tom Carpenter articulated in his May 2th memorandum to the Mayor and The City of Little Rock Board Of Directors, that these actions are not an attempt to resolve a conflict in an employment relationship, instead it is an effort to terminate Chief Humphrey's employment. “The lawsuit is not about damages but attempts to use the courts for a political end.” During the month of June 2020, The LRBPOA took a vote of confidence in Police Chief Keith Humphrey, which resulted in 899 of the membership voting they were confident in the Chief's ability to lead the department in the right direction. We remain overwhelmingly in support of Chief Humphrey. A police organization like LRPD rises and falls on leadership. For the past ten years the LRPD has headed in a downward spiral, creating a great divide amongst officers. Chief Humphrey inherited this dysfunctional department. Recent actions of certain police personnel appear to be an attempt to cover up decades of systemic racism, disparities, and oppression of minorities. There was a system of unfairness in promotions,LITTLE ROCK BLACK POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 164638 Little Rock, Arkansas 72216-4368 transfers and recognition within the Little Rock Police Departed before Chief Humphrey arrived. Naturally, people who have largely benefited from such an unfair system will rail against anyone who comes in and tries to eradicate “the good ole boy system’. Chief Humphrey has implemented an: Open Door Policy, Promotions are based on Performance and not who you know, a fair transfer policy, Citizens’ review board, a fair internal affairs process, supervisor transfer/opportunity rotation process, review of nepotism, leadership training, field training and a host of other processes that gives everyone a chance to advance their career based on merit. If there isa Board meeting called to discuss whether Chief Humphrey should be relieved as Police Chief of the Little Rock Police Department, the LRBPOA respectfully requests an invitation to speak on behalf of the Chief. LRBPOA: a Ze, President