The Des Moines Police Guild is demanding the resignation of Mayor Bob Sheckler because of statements he made shortly after a Des Moines police officer shot and killed Newfoundland dog Rosie on Nov. 7.

“The statements you directed toward the actions of the officers were unnecessary, defamatory and indicative of you and your current lack of support for the men and women who protect and serve our City and surrounding communities.” The Police Guild said in a letter to Sheckler.

“We are disappointed to see you as a representative of the city addressing the media with such inflammatory vigor, having little or few facts to base what appeared to be your conclusions of the incident.

“We were left to believe your statements were some skewed effort to appease a gathering of citizens and media for a small amount of political attention and or gain.”

When asked if he did anything wrong Sheckler gave an emphatic "No."

“The call for my resignation because I followed proper procedure is absurd,” Sheckler said.
As the mayor he was trying to avoid causing problems, not create them, according to Sheckler.

“In my opinion not going to the vigil would have caused more harm than going to it.” Sheckler said. But, he said, because he did not come out and defend the police that made the guild mad.

Last Thursday the Police Guild told Sheckler they wanted to meet with him. A meeting was scheduled for Mon. Dec. 27. Before the meeting Sheckler asked for an agenda of the meeting. In response instead of an agenda the Guild sent Sheckler the letter.

After receiving the letter Sheckler cancelled the meeting and immediately called for an executive session of the council to discuss the letter. The executive session was held Dec. 30.

Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Kaplan said, “I’m surprised that anything Bob said could be interpreted as not being supportive. I don’t think Bob has jumped to a conclusion in the investigation one way or the other.”

People on all sides of the issue want the City Council to come out with a side, but Kaplan said the council is really hampered by what they can say before they have all of the facts and a thorough review.

Sheckler said the letter from the Police Guild will be discussed at next Thursday's council meeting, Jan. 6. He said he has set up a meeting with the Guild for Jan. 7, which was the Guild’s earliest availability for a meeting next week.

Now the council is going to look at upgrading their equipment and reviewing their procedures so an incident like Rosie’s death does not happen again, Sheckler said.

“We are going to be reviewing the case very thoroughly and looking at ways to prevent this kind of situation in the future,” said Sheckler.
The police video of the shooting will be released this afternoon on the Des Moines City website, desmoineswa.gov.

Initially the police department said they were going to file an injunction to keep the video from being released. The city gave them until Dec. 30 to file the injunction, which the department decided not to do.

The video from the patrol cars is now online at http://www.desmoinesmail.com/webpdf/Police/RosieInvest/index_rosie.htm.

Des Moines Police Sgt. Bob Collins said yesterday, Dec. 31, the shooting review has been completed and the case is currently being reviewed by a third party.

Collins said he could not disclose who the third party investigator is. Their name will be released once they have completed their investigation.

The results of the shooting review will come out at the same time as the results of the third party review.

Below is the letter from the Police Guild.

DES MOINES POLICE OFFICERS GUILD

December 27, 2010

Mayor Bob Sheckler,

On behalf of the members of the Des Moines Police Officers Guild we believe your actions and statements shortly after the November 7, 2010 incident involving “Rosie” the Newfoundland created unnecessary alarm and ill will to the citizens, business owners, City staff and personnel within our City and surrounding communities. The statements you directed toward the actions of the officers were unnecessary, defamatory and indicative of you and your current lack of support for the men and women who protect and serve our City and surrounding communities. We are disappointed to see you as a representative of the City addressing the media with such inflammatory vigor, having little or few facts to base what appeared to be your conclusions of the incident. We were left to believe your statements were some skewed effort to appease a gathering of citizens and media for a small amount of political attention and or gain.

Based on your actions and statements we are demanding your immediate resignation as Mayor and council member of the Des Moines City Council. We base our demand on the irrevocable damage you’ve created in public and our trust, confidence and support. The trust, confidence and support we’ve all pledged to uphold. We believe your refusal to rectify the damage you’ve created will be met with significant opposition throughout the remainder of your term and in the future.

Respectfully,
Ross A. Stuth
Des Moines Police Officers Guild, President