Patrick Wilson
The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Police Chief Bruce P. Marquis is staying in Norfolk.
Marquis told city officials on Wednesday that he had withdrawn his name from consideration to become police chief in New Orleans. Marquis was one of six finalists talking to a 17-member search committee. The Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans reported Wednesday that Marquis and two other candidates were eliminated after an interview.
Marquis called City Manager Regina V.K. Williams Wednesday to let her know of his decision, then sent her an e-mail.
He wrote that he agreed to become a candidate at the request of officials from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, "who believed I had the necessary qualifications to reform the New Orleans Police Department."
"I assure you," he wrote to Williams, "I remain committed to serving the city of Norfolk and the Norfolk Police Department. It is not my desire, nor that of my family, to leave the home we have established here in Norfolk."
Marquis came to Norfolk from Hartford, Conn., in 2004.
"I think he's been doing a good job here," Williams said.
Mayor Paul Fraim and Councilwoman Daun S. Hester said they are happy he is staying. But Councilman W. Randy Wright said he wonders why Marquis applied in another city if he wants to remain in Norfolk.
"If he's so committed to staying here, why did he apply? It's my understanding that no one here knew he had applied" until it was reported in the New Orleans newspaper, Wright said.
Marquis says he did not apply.
"My reasons for going through this process were largely because I was asked by people who I knew, who knew me," he said in a phone interview Wednesday.
Marquis emphasized that he has not applied for any jobs in the nearly 6-1/2 years he has been chief in Norfolk. He said he was assured the process would remain confidential until the candidates were further narrowed.
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com
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Full Of It
As I tried to post yesterday this guy is full of it.
My, My, My
" and Bruce Marquis, the chief in Norfolk, Va., failed to make the next round. "
This is from a New Orleans New article yesterday......
Case closed!
To use the flavor of N'Orleans.......bonjour!
how going to a job interview is not applying for a job.
Most of us fail to grasp how going to a job interview is not applying for a job.
Norfolk Police Chief
It needs to be said that the city should hire WITHIN when it comes to most of its department heads. Norfolk has employees and citizens that are more highly qualified for many of its department head position. The job should go to the best qualified and not a "friend" and consideration given to those from within or locally. It seems that hiring from OUTSIDE of our local area has become the norm. It is factual that if you hire someone with ties to the community whether within a department or locally they CARE about the citizens more and are willing to a job worthy of the position. Not just to use us as a stepping stone. The last Norfok Chief hired from within the Norfolk Police Department was the BEST one Norfolk ever had. He was respected as well as cared for by all, the employees and the citizens. He retired from the city after giving over 38 years of his life to the city. None since has had the courage to give anything for this city.
Norfolk Police chief
I agree that all hiring of major city jobs should be from within the city! Norfolk, as well as the rest of the major cities around Hampton Roads have gone downhill fast since getting away from this practice.
I am certain that occasionally there are more qualified people somewhere else, but if they want the job... move in first!
If you want to vote that is what you have to do, become resident, the same should be a standard for city offices!
The Chief wants to go; he needs to go too
"I assure you," he wrote to Williams, "I remain committed to serving the city of Norfolk and the Norfolk Police Department. It is not my desire, nor that of my family, to leave the home we have established here in Norfolk."
Actions speak louder than words. Can't believe what this sworn officer says anymore. We now know he is looking to get out of Norfolk. His actions say so. His words though are in direct contradiction to his flying to N.O. and interviewing for a job. Randy has it right, in this case.
What is worse? Someone who "spins" their job hunting, or those who really believe he wants to stay here?
Let's hope the Chief is still looking, far from Norfolk.
It's only a matter of time before he's gone. Regina, start putting out feelers for the next Chief, now.
Marquis
Of course he's committed now he doewsn't have another job somewhere else. I recommend Norfolk advertise for a new police chief.....Marquis won't be there much longer. The city should fire the job-hunter!
Intriguty
Why should we believe in the integrity of our police department, when it is quite evident that the top watch dog is lying? He and Regina would surely hand out stiff punishment if not fire an officer for the same. Double Standards, do what I say not what I do!
But it is very apparent that the cities money that was spent on NOBEL was well worth it, not for the citizens but for BPM. He has hired his own job hunting service at our expense.
Someone clarify this for me
He says he did not apply, yet he was in the process to become their next chief. "Marquis says he did not apply."
Has anyone ever been close to getting a job they did not apply for? I cannot recall a time where I was close to getting a job that I had not initially sought after. I wish someone would say "hey, here is a job." If that was the case, perhaps the jobless rate would not be where it is today.
He stated that he has not applied for any jobs in his time at the helm for NPD, however he has told his students in his criminal justice class at ODU that he was applying for jobs out west. So either he was lying to them, or lying now. To me it sounds like he cannot be trusted. Of course nothing will be done with him as long as Regina is at the helm of this city.
Another thing I would like to point out is that while Ms. Williams is talking about cutting police jobs, the only two people who made comments about the situation were Harry Twiford and Mike McKenna. Where was Bruce?
Yes he did!!
The chief sure did tell his ODU class that he was applying for other jobs. To answer your question he's lying now, he seems too arrogant to just admit that they didnt want him. Plus he doesnt want to look like a liar, kind of how he told city council he only used 30 officers for NOBLE when the media was able to prove that it was more like 300! Just blatant lies, now let one of his officers make an honest goodfaith mistake let alone a blatant lie and I'll bet they would be fired in a heartbeat!!