“He is a good man and this town deserves him,” Palmer Police Chief receives support amid placement on suspension

Longtime Palmer Police Department (PPD) Chief Dwayne Shelton was suspended effective immediately Tuesday by now former City Manager Stephen Jellie.

Jellie resigned Wednesday night, just more than 24 after suspending Shelton.

“At 3:42 p.m. Mr. Jellie placed me on paid administrative leave. I received a written letter at 5:45 p.m. He ordered me to turn in my badge and gun, (and) threatened to have me arrested by the state police,” Chief Shelton said during a contentious Palmer City Council meeting on October 8.

“I believe this is a retaliatory action because I brought forth public safety concerns and employee rights regarding significant policy changes he is implementing.”

Chief Shelton was speaking during the council meeting on October 8, while much of the public spoke out against policy changes that the new city manager has implemented, including dismantling the Palmer Dispatch and having emergency calls routed through Mat-Com, and suspending the PPD’s home car program, which allowed officers to take police vehicles home and use them to respond to emergencies as needed.

“When officers respond to a criminal act in progress, whether it be a school shooting, they would have to drive by and pass that school, in most cases, to get to their car, warm it up, thaw it out, to then go back to take care of the situation.”

In a letter obtained by the Frontiersman, no specific reason was cited for the suspension, and that while the suspension is for two weeks, it may be extended. It also laid out the terms expected during his suspension, including refraining from representing the city to any person or group.

“I swore an oath to protect and serve all people in the state of Alaska, particularly the City of Palmer. I do not take this oath lightly, and have served willingly and unwaveringly for the past 25 years here in Palmer. In 45 days, Mr. Jellie has all but undone the public safety fabric of our society that you guys together, with the citizens and employees of Palmer have woven.”

Several people spoke to the council in support of Chief Shelton during the meeting, including PPD officer Perry Morgan who, although has only been with PPD for a short time has served in law enforcement for over 30 years.

“Of the 30 plus years I’ve been in law enforcement, the two best years I’ve ever had have been working at Palmer Police. This is a great community. We have great people here. I thoroughly enjoy coming to work, I enjoy seeing the citizens, and believe it or not the citizens wave to us,” Morgan said. “The heart of that is our chief, Chief Shelton. He is the best man I have ever worked for, bar none.”

Morgan said the Chief Shelton stands up for his people, and that he should be reinstated and support him. “He is a good man and this town deserves him,” earning Morgan a round of applause for his comments.

Orin Peterson said that while he may or may not know the inside of a jail cell, he has had experience with law enforcement, admittedly not always on “the good side,” told the council

“AST, Wasilla PD, and Palmer has been the best law enforcement that I’ve ever dealt with, from the wrong side,” he said, complimenting the professionalism he has witnessed and noting that with every interaction he has had, it has ended with a handshake and words of encouragement. He also noted that when he has had to make calls for himself and his business and that the response has been nothing short of amazing.

“No matter who you put on administrative leave, no matter who he fires or what may happens, this police chief is still going to do his job. He’s going to do everything in his power to serve the community and the people around him, just without the uniform on.”

PPD Commander Shayne LaCroix was appointed acting Chief, and during the emergency Palmer City Council meeting on October 9, he said that while he is fully capable and willing to assume the role of police chief.

“But Dwayne Shelton is the one that should be doing the job. I’m happy to keep his seat warm in the hope that this council will reinstate him soon.”

Richard Clark of the Palmer Police Department asked simply, "Can we have our chief back?

During the emergency meeting of the Palmer City Council on October 9, it was announced that Jellie had resigned. There was no comment on what the next steps will be for the police chief.