Update, 6:21 PM: Fixed link for “What Happens in Vegas…” appearing below. Link now leads correctly to that post.
Longtime readers of FREE WHITEWATER know that I have been a critic of Whitewater’s long-tenured (too long, really) police chief, Jim Coan. A search of this site offers ample analysis of Coan’s disappointing tenure in Whitewater, considering his emphasis on appearance over substance, almost every time. Coan has the vocabulary of a modern manager (accountability, excellence, etc.), but no meaningful achievement to support that vocabulary.
I have contended consistently that Coan has ill-served the police officers of our small town, and that they, and we, have deserved better. See, The Force We Need. It’s a commonplace dodge for a weak leader to contend that criticism on him is somehow an attack on policing. On the contrary, the biggest problem policing in this town has is Coan, himself, and a few weak-minded people who can’t tell the difference between a police force and its mediocre manager.
Coan’s a candidate for a job in Mankato, MN, as their public safety director. He’s one of four candidates, and I have only briefly mentioned his prospects. See, Department of Embarrassing Coincidence, Whitewater, Wisconsin Branch Office (“How all this [his candidacy] turns out I cannot say, although I can guess. It speaks clearly on its own about Chief Coan’s low level of commitment and interest in this community.”)
The Daily Union has reported on Coan’s candidacy, in a story entitled, “Whitewater chief finalist for Mankato job.”
Here’s how the DU addresses Coan’s previous job searches, while Whitewater’s police chief:
“My interest in the position is in no way a reflection of any dissatisfaction here whatsoever,” Coan said. “The job is an opportunity to move closer to family in the Minneapolis area.”
He noted that those who have relatives residing nearby can appreciate how important that is.
“Whitewater is a great community and I remain very proud of the quality of our department and the caliber of our personnel,” the Whitewater police chief said.
In June 2006, Coan accepted the chief of police position in the City of Hudson in northern Wisconsin. However, he returned in August before Whitewater officials had an opportunity to fill his former position.
Something’s missing, of course — accepting and then declining an earlier offer didn’t happen once, but twice. Coan didn’t accept one job and then return; he had a similar experience before 2006’s fiasco of leaving and scurrying back from Hudson.
In 2001, Coan accepted, and then declined, a job in Apple Valley, Minnesota. In the minutes of the Apple Valley, Minnesota City Council, from April 26, 2001, one finds remarks about that city’s attempt to hire a new chief:
POLICE CHIEF JOHNSON HIRING
MOTION: of Erickson, seconded by Grendahl, rescinding the action of March 22, 2001, to hire James R. Coan and approving hiring Scott A. Johnson as Chief of Police, as outlined in the City Administrator’s memo dated April 23rd, 2001. Ayes – 5 – Nays – 0.
Mr. Lawell introduced Scott Johnson who is recommended to be hired as the new Chief of Police. As described in his memo, dated April 23, 2001, James Coan has notified the City that he will not be accepting employment as previously approved. Mr. Johnson will be starting employment on May 7, 2001.
The minutes from that Minnesota council meeting are available online.
Either the Daily Union didn’t know, or didn’t bother to mention, Coan’s twice accepting, and then twice declining, a job offer elsewhere. The 2006 Hudson offer, acceptance, and quick return were unusual not merely on their own, but because Coan had accepted and declined before.
There’s much in the Daily Union story that’s more press release than real story, with a reference to Coan’s “ride-alongs with some of the nation’s largest police departments.” Too funny — as though Coan learned something on travels to fancy, big cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Las Vegas that he has in any way used constructively for the city. Funny, in his accounts Coan makes no mention of a trip to Detroit or Cleveland. They’re big cities, too, but they’re not also tourist spots.
For more on Coan’s amazing travels, see “What Happens in Vegas…“
I have no idea how the interviews will go, let alone if Coan will be hired in Mankato, Minnesota.
I do know this much, though, about Hudson, Wisconsin and Apple Valley, Minnesota: they jointly share the distinction of The Two Luckiest Cities on the Face of the Earth™.