Norfolk pays the price when its manager meddles in police affairs

To forget the past means that you are doomed to repeat it. I'm sure that it's convenient for you, as a bigoted old white man, to shut your eyes to obvious instances of racial injustice but to the majority of Americans, it's not quite that easy. To tell a black person to "get over slavery" is probably something you feel very comfortable doing, behind the safety of your computer screen. I just don't suggest that you make that mistake to someone's face.

you've got to be kidding. Here's a news flash, racial strife began the moment a certain group of individuals decided to use another group of individuals as garden tools.

When your City Manager is racist in a city like Norfolk it's time for her to say Good Bye and I will write from Mississippi and let ya'll know how the cotton fields are doing. And of course Riddick is on his way out as soon as we have the next election. Reverse racism won't work here people. Williams is already being checked on for dishonest use of vacation time and I will not be surprised if it is found that she lied about it. When you put people like her kind in a management position you are just planting a time bomb waiting to be found. She is NOT management material, (she proves that almost every time she speaks/writes and now she is starting to act just like ham throwing Riddick. People let's vote these idiots out of office and let them work for a living instead of starting racial strife especially in Norfolk where we need it the least.

I agree with Williams'decision. Just like people didn't want Albert in a position of authority because of his past, even though he's turned his life around, a lot of citizens would not feel comfortable with an officer like Barry patrolling the streets, even though he's been cleared of any wrongdoing and he's served his time behind a desk. Everyone complained about the Albert decision so she probably thought she was doing the right thing by keeping a cop killer (accidental) from off of the streets. When you can tell me what's it like to be considered a suspect all of the time or to be pulled over because you happen to be driving a very nice vehicle and to be looked at as if you shouldn't be driving it simply because of the color of your skin when you know you're an honest, hard working and law abiding citizen, maybe I, like other people, would feel different about Barry. If not, then don't tell me he needs to be put back on the street. Please don't say that this doesn't happen because it still does. Also, in Dougherty's article she said "Unlike Barry, he wasn’t blameless". Tell that to Darden's family and loved ones. Orion, Darden is completely to blame for his own death?

The very fact that you call yourself "Mr. Fabulous" is reason enough for NOONE to take you seriously. Do YOU see what I mean?

Norfolk's leadership continues to slid downhill. I am surprised that anybody would want to be a cop in Norolk. They dont get the support they need when the need it. Some on city council are a joke, as is the city manager. Thank God i live in Chesapeake.

Unless officer Barry had x-ray vision, the position of Seneca's badge would have no bearing on being shot in the back! Look people, the city manager made the right decision in this case. Like it or not, the city manager did what needed to be done. My personal feelings are prejudiced and I admit it; however, it has little to do with the race of Barry!
I just think that officer Barry added fuel to the fire when he told his lawyer that Seneca held his weapon "gangster style" at the head of mr. Harvey no less. The family had endured enough grief already having to listen to nonsense talk of an extra-marital affair and the abandoning his position crap by the police chief. A good leader never criticizes someone in public and especially not before the media! Suddenly, you have a deceased police officer's name associated with thugs, incompetence, unintelligence, and many other negative things by many of you posters up here. You would thing Seneca committed a crime instead of trying to prevent a crime! What is keeping officer Barry from reaching out to offer his condolences? That would really encourage me!

Darden DID NOT have his badge displayed. In fact, no one saw his badge until he was down and being checked for additional weapons. The badge was on his belt - covered by a shirt. Listen, you are entitled to your own opinion, but you ARE NOT entitled to your own FACTS! It's people like you that keep the pot stirred because either you are uninformed, or intentionally attempted to stir hate and discontent!

If you use an exclamation after every sentence it loses its emphasis! People tend to not take one seriously! See what I mean?!

I whole heartedly believe the findings of the independent investigations should be released to the public, however to be realistic I understand why they won't be. I have a very strong suspicion that if made public the details would cause serious embarrassment to the City, Norfolk Police Department, Officer Barry and quite frankly Officer Darden's family. Why? Because there were serious flaws in police procedure, Officer Barry's judgment, Officer Darden's judgment, Officer Darden's partner's dishonest attempt to cover for Officer Darden (i.e. why Officer Darden was off his post and did not inform dispatch that he was on the scene)and finally City Officials (including the city manager) that handled the whole aftermath terribly.

I agree with Regina Williams' decision. Walking down the street, you have to be just as afraid of the police as the "thugs" they're supposedly after.

I lived in Norfolk for most of my life... through some elementary school, junior high and high school, a 20 year career in the U.S. Navy, plus some. It is my opinion that the quality of life in the City of Norfolk has been on a steady decline, blame it on what you will... lack of concern on the part of the citizenry, lack of ability on the part of elected officials. Anyway you slice it... Norfolk is not a good place to live, work, or visit.

Sometimes it is easier to cut your losses and move on... I did three years ago and do not regret it one little bit.

Somebody is missing the whole point of having a City Manager. A good City Manager SHOULD be involved in ALL personnel decisions and especially those dealing with as serious matter as the accidental police shooting of one officer by another. I doubt that the officer in question could ever have had a successful career following his involvment in such a horrific accident. He needed a fresh start somewhere else and, based on what I have read, the City Manager made exactly the correct move. I am a City Manager and I just had to comment on this story which I first read on the ICMA daily online news alert.
You shouldn't condemn someone in a position you know nothing about. News commentators are not experts on very much, and especially not City government.

I do apologize about the firing part! I did type a recant to that but it was not posted! Officer Barry may not have been fired but it was the correct decision to let him move on! There are many of us who DO support the decision made by Mrs. Williams in this situation! Officer Barry would be regulated to only token duties on the streets anyway! He is too recognizable and it would be only a matter of time before he is tested on the streets! One of the things that Seneca Darden was known for in that community was his genuine concern for people which earned him respect from even those who many would term "thugs"! That's one thing that was needed in a situation like he was faced with the night that Barry shot him! Too many officers panic and are quick to use deadly force! Again, mistakes were made that night by Seneca and there is no denying that but they did not lead to his death! Barry's mistakes were just as revelent; however, they were not aired to the public after the investigations were completed! Barry shall be forgiving by us for taking away our loved one but it would appreciated if he show some remorse!

Regina Williams is a very poor City Manager. I would venture to say that had Officer Barry gone forward with a racial discrimination lawsuit, he would have had a very good chance of winning. That is why the city settled.

Ms. Williams, has been working on her "agenda", with the encouragement of a few elected officials. This needs to stop.

Two years from now, Norfolk citizens will have an opportunity to stop this "agenda". We will ultimately see if this happens, or this city continues the road to ruin.

When did Officer Barry get fired?? I guess some can not read the articles or they have an axe to grind. Officer Barry RESIGNED!!!

He was cleared by three independent investigations. He should have been allowed to continue his career with Norfolk. Officer Barry, good luck in whatever city you chose as your next employer.

Mistakes were made by many. Hopefully, all departments will/have learned something from this tragic event to prevent it from happening in the future.

You have exactly what you are talking about happening in NYC with the shooting of the unarmed groom and his friends. Two of the officers involved are black so you are stereotyping! The reason black people are upset over this situation with officer Barry is, the facts that were not revealed about this case! As they stand now, Seneca Darden is protrayed in the most negative ways imaginable! Imagine what the family felt when officer Barry used the term "gangster-style" when his version of what happened came out! How can another officer be so insensitive? This version was not what most of the witnesses testified seeing but you will never get to hear those testimonies since the investigation was never released! Black people do often over-react to situations involving racial issues; nonetheless, white people are just as guilty with implied remarks aimed at blacks and denying them when confronted! This case has more racist implication than any story I have ever witnessed! All we ask is that you be fair!

It's sad how some folks want Officer Darden to be the victim, in some ways he is. He's a victim of self common sense mistakes such as getting in the middle of an explosive siutation while in plain clothes, no matter how the living room quarterback feels or black pride tells you should feel. If Williams was white and she did that to a black officer how many folks would march down to city hall along with Mr.Riddick and the new black panthers to burn it down? Yes it's called a double standard. It's always a black vs white thing not the right vs wrong and learn to correct issues. Darden was in a place where he didn't belong that night because of being in plain clothes, forget that he was a good officer, good officers make mistakes. He didn't need to be there with his gun out, no reason to hand it out. If he fired his weapon he could have shot one of two officers or a bystander and then he would be facing a major lawsuit. But I like to ask, if you came across two fellow officers attempting to handcuff a person on the ground and you see someone with a gun turned sideways (like you see in the movies) pointed in the direction of the officers and the person on the ground, what do you do ??

It is ironic that Barry claims to be the one discriminated against! Now that is really funny coming from someone who has YET to offer any kind of condolences for shooting a fellow officer. Officer Barry's relationship with fellow black officers should be of concern since he and Seneca had past differences and no reports were ever made of their relationship! There is a great racial divide on the NPD and the city manager is aware of this! For those of you who want to make Barry the victim in all of this, you best believe that this is not the last time that you will see his name in the news as a police officer! Any officer who uses a term like "gangster" when describing a black officer that he shot 6 times in the back is stereotypical and revealing. His defense was typical of those tactics used nation-wide and the results are always the same in each instance! Officer Barry was cleared by the investigations conducted internally and by the State Police but there were other lingering concerns which could not be ignored. Think for a moment about the reservations that other black officers had with working with this guy! Officer Barry and the dog made some errors also that night! Finally, t

I still think that Norfolks legal counsel should be the city manager for the next several years. You need an attorney to sort out all of the pending lawsuits against the city for a multitude of reasons. Mostly the ineffectiveness of the city manager. She is responsible for every action brought against the city. With what I see, she deserves it. Micromanaging every office is a difficult job, one that can't be done! To the city council, I have to wonder why you allow this to continue. Are you afraid that she and Riddick will yell racism? All you need to do is read their comments and you can tell who the racist are. Time to start to take a politically incorrect, but morally correct stance on managing the city. How many more lives will she leave in her wake? Will it be yours?

Considering that everyone believes that Manager Williams does as she pleases, when she pleases, would the author of this column go one step further and get a written job description of what her responsibilities really are. If she steps out of bounds, we will know. If she passes judgement within her responsibilities, we will know. If her judgment seems out of line, it is the duty of the City Coucil to bring her in line with her job description.
They hired her. They have the power to fire her. If we let them know, that we are dissatisfied with her managment skills, it is their obligation to address the issue publically and give her a public evaluation, just the way she evaluates each and every employee of the City of Norfolk.

You're forgetting one VERY important matter, Darden LEFT HIS POST. In some circles that is called dereliction of duty. He was in plain clothes, refusing to obey UNIFORMED officers AT THEIR POST.

This isn't racism, it's not following proper police procedure (staying at your post). This incident was unfortunate, but if Darden had stayed at his post he would be alive today. The blame lies at Darden’s feet and Darden alone.

So please stop with your bigoted rants.

covering the details of what actually happened that night. Seneca had on a badge, but even more, for those of you who never had the priviledge in being in his company, you could tell he was an officer by the way he walked, the way he talked, the way he carried himself. This city has cops, but they dont have alot of real police. Seneca Darden was real police. So I agree with alot of you, Regina did screw up on this one, He shouldve been fired. I cant go to court & shoot u & saw I didnt know. The city gave the green light to killings. If he can , why cant I? He shouldve been fired & jailed, bottom line.

It's alot easier for those of you who didnt witness the shooting of Seneca Darden lasy May, & I honestly hope that that is something tha you will never have to experience. Howver, I was there. I was with the Harvey's when they were pepper sprayed by the police. Seneca Darden was aattemoting to difuse the situation & protect the youngest Harvey child. true enough his back was turned towards Officer Gordon, he was still standing alongside the rest of the responding police officers instructing every1 to the ground. Officer Darden did have his badge hung around his next. Officer Darden was screaming the same thing that the rest of the officers were saying, "Get down inthe ground". At this point Officer Gordon "intentionally " let loose that K-9 dog , which in turn attacked the youngest Harvey boy, thus leading up to the oldest harvey child attacking the dog who was cheewing off his brothers ear, a natural reflex. At this point it was Officer darden that 6 shots were unleashed into the back of Seneca Darden, intentionally. I am not saying that Officer Gordon is a bad man, but he used poor judgement as well as the police department in covering & silencing the details of what actually hap

...Valium, Xanax?

The people of Norfolk are beginning to look like weak-kneed, strung-out pansies. I would attend EVERY city council meeting and list the various and lengthy unethical, bigoted and stupid behavour illustrating Ms. Williams incompetence and DEMAND her resignation! I would bring as many as my fellow citizens to do the same.

God help Norfolk if what happened yesterday or a major hurricane hit the city. Visions of Ray Nagan run through my head. So what WOULD your "Public Safety Officer" do to protect you Norfolk? Your crime rate is exploding, she wanted to hire a felon to oversee the police and wants to "re-train" a good cop to do another city job yet you keep this incompetent bafoon in office?

My God Norfolk, wake-up and smell the stench, silence is concent...

Regina Williams has proven time and time again that she is incompetent, corrupt and a racist. When will Norfolk City Council grow a backbone and fire her? Or better yet, when will the citizens of Norfolk have the courage to vote out the incumbents on City Council and get some people in there who are willing to hire us a City Manager who cares more about positively developing the City of Norfolk rather than her boyfriend’s employment prospects?

the malcontents when we complain about the biased actions of this arrogant public employee. The ultimate epithome of the Peter Principle which has destroyed the employee moral and the public trust. but as long as she finds funding for the council pet projects in their respective (fiefdoms) Wards that is and the continued money for Council $Raises, the city manager is not going anywhere, oh, maybe she'll move to where she wants to reside; Va. Bch, Town Center Westin Condo's, and still govern the low life of Norfolk. The city council dosen't give a hoot as long as they get the money they demand for their own frills. The lack of voters May 6th will just reflect the apathy created by the detached elected representatives of Norfolk. Just remember the petitions and the reactions to the citizens will by the council. So, city manager will remain in power to the demise of Norfolk, Big Town ~ Little City, $1 Billion dollar plus operating budget, 'can't pay the property taxes?, get a second job!' is the refrain of city council and city manager.

It is time to get rid of Queen Regina.

"When I spoke to her Monday, Williams declined to detail why she didn’t want Barry back on the streets, but she seemed satisfied with recent developments."

Barry “gets a fresh start now, and Norfolk continues to heal,” she said.

I'd say this was something of an act of what Human Resource folk call 'constructive discharge', and it cost the city $58,000 + to make it happen.

I hope Williams is happy...

Amen from this end too. Great column, Kerry.