Commerce City’s police chief was hit Tuesday by a vote of no-confidence from an overwhelming majority of the officers he oversees in this fast-growing city of 50,000.
Sixty-seven officers voted in support of the measure, which states that the rank-and-file has “lost all faith, trust and confidence” in Troy Smith as chief. Only three voted against it, according to Mike Violette, executive director of the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police. There are about 86 sworn officers on Commerce City’s police force.
“In 2½ years, Troy Smith has managed to destroy a highly respected and much sought after, employment-wise, police department,” Violette said. “I’d hate to see what happens in the next 2½ years if changes aren’t made.”
Smith released a statement Tuesday that said he could not address the union’s vote, but that residents “are safer thanks to the reforms our police officers are enacting.”
The no-confidence declaration, which closed at midnight Tuesday after 10 days of voting, showed nearly 74 percent of respondents did not feel optimistic about their future with the force and 87 percent said their voices are not heard.
Commerce City Mayor Sean Ford said city council is firmly behind the chief. Discontent on the force, he said, is likely a reaction to reforms being put in place.
“We know there’s a reform need and the chief is moving ahead with these reforms,” Ford said Tuesday. “It takes time for change to take place.”
