Palmer Police Chief put on paid suspension

During an already tense Palmer City Council meeting Tuesday night, longtime Palmer Police Department Chief Dwayne Shelton told attendees that he had been suspended effective immediately by Palmer City Manager Stephen Jellie.

“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, threatened to have me arrested by the state police,” Chief Shelton said as the room went silent at the news.

“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 a tumultuous council meeting on Tuesday evening as 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.”

“We operate differently in Alaska than what other agencies, other police departments do down south. You can’t compare us to them.”

“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.”

First responders came out en masse to speak out against the changes and show support to the PPD and Palmer Fire Department. Many called for Jellie’s resignation or for him to be put on administrative leave while city council and officials determine the next steps. Mayor Steve Carrington was hesitant to do such actions, and council member Carolina Anzilloti called for the manager to be placed on administrative leave.

An emergency city council meeting has been called for Wednesday, October 9 to discuss the future of the city manager.

“We have strived hard to make this place Alaska at its best. That is not his (Jellie’s) intent," Shelton said.

This is a developing story. Continue to see frontiersman.com for more.