(February 12, 2008)

Members of the Corpus Christi Police Officers Association have begun canvassing the ballots of rank and file police officers. The officers are taking part in a no confidence vote against Police Chief Bryan Smith and members of his administration.

The police union members say they aren't fighting for a higher salary or a better contract, instead some say the vote is about wanting strong leadership support and communication.

We asked Chief Smith what would happen if indeed the union took a vote of no confidence.

"Other than my feelings being severely hurt, I'm going to continue doing my job. I was hired not just to work with the officers of the Corpus Christi Police Department. My job is to make sure the citizens of Corpus Christi get the police service they deserve, and sometimes that means I have to be the bad guy, the boss has to sometimes be the bad guy," says Chief Smith.

Seen by some as a target of discontent, Chief Bryan Smith recognizes he's not in a popularity contest.

"And if that means I loose a popularity contest so be it. The citizens expect to have a chief of police that will do the right thing regardless of how popular he's going to be."

Union members have said in the past that allegations of mismanagement and wrongdoing have plagued the department since the early 90's.

But, more recently the union became upset in part over the recent impound lot firings, specifically the termination of well liked senior officer, Marty Jasso.

An internal investigation revealed he and others bypassed normal channels to buy personal vehicles from the impound lot.

The Police Officers Association decided in December to take votes of confidence not just on Chief Smith and Assistant Chief Ken Bung. But on the now four individual command staff leaders.

It's expected to take some time to count all the votes, but we'll get you updated as soon as we can.

The vote doesn't mean anything, unless you consider the influence it might have on our elected city leaders or City Manager Skip Noe.