P.G., Seaside police unions blast Police Chief Vicki Myers

At 11:30am today, Pacific Grove police directed traffic around an accident on Ocean View Boulevard. A 60-year-old man walking on the Recreational Trail had tripped and fallen 25 feet to the rocks below, according to the P.G. Police Department, and responders were getting him to Natividad Medical Center.

Just a few hundred feet away, standing in front of a butterfly statue at Lovers Point Park, another P.G. policeman was addressing the public—but Sgt. Carl Lafata was not on duty. Dressed in a suit and tie, Lafata and Seaside Police Officer Tony Snell delivered a joint press conference, representing their respective police officer associations.

Lafata said the PGPOA has reaffirmed its June 2013 vote of no confidence in P.G./Seaside Police Chief Vicki Myers, who oversees both departments. He alleged officers in both departments have left for work in other agencies, or are actively looking for other work, under her leadership.

"We have a situation where it's impossible to recruit the best and brightest," Lafata said. "And so, what we really see this as being an issue for the well-being of both communities, especially as we've seen an increase in violent and property crimes in both places."

Snell said it's telling that both the P.G. and Seaside police forces, which serve very different communities, both find Myers' leadership lacking. "It's not just one agency that has an issue with Chief Myers," he said.

Both described their departments as understaffed and with low morale. The Seaside POA is calling for Myers' removal, and the PGPOA is asking P.G. officials not to renew Myers' contract when it comes up for consideration in a few months. (Myers is a Seaside employee; P.G. contracts with Seaside to split her time between the two cities.)

"She's basically demolished every bridge we've ever built for her," Lafata said.

Responding by email, Myers says she has heard from PGPOA members who do not support the vote of no confidence. "Regardless, I am concerned if just one member of our team has concerns or issues, and remain committed to hearing and addressing any and all concerns in a positive, collaborative manner," she writes.

Addressing an allegation in today's joint POA statement that she is rarely in uniform and doesn't engage in patrol activity, Myers writes:

"My knowledge, skills, experience, training, education and abilities vastly exceed the minimum requirements needed to serve as a police officer, and as a chief of police. Just this Saturday (Fourth of July) I worked in uniform in Seaside, side by side with our police officers, responding to and initiating calls for service from 6pm to 1am. I have also served in uniform as the watch commander in P.G."

Regarding staffing: "Both cities have been woefully understaffed, resulting in officers working long hours. However, both departments have provided training and time off/vacations to personnel…The staffing levels of the Pacific Grove Police Department are currently greater than when I was hired as the chief of police, and for several years prior."

Myers notes that in Seaside, where she was hired in December 2010, violent and property crimes have been down from their 2010 levels every year except 2011.

Speaking by phone, Myers adds that Sgt. Lafata submitted a letter of resignation and is departing the PGPD in July. No PGPD employees have filed any formal grievances during her tenure, Myers adds, and the few filed in Seaside have not been upheld.