Palmer Lake Police Chief Suspended

Residents wonder if they'll have a new police chief for the third time in slightly more than two years.

[A former PLPD Officer]

As a former Palmer Lake police officer who served under Chief Dale T. Smith, I can tell you that Palmer Lake has real problems with its town leadership. I can only guess that the mayor, a city council member were trying to interfere with the chief's duties and an argument, or a series of arguments ended in Ferrin's admin. leave, and most likely his dismissal. Chief Dale Smith once resigned in the 90's due to council interference in police matters. He was later asked to return as chief and did so. During my several years of employment as a PLPD officer, I learned that although it is a very pretty town, there are some really ugly and evil people that live there (morally speaking). I can only imigine how this town leadership may have contributed to former Chief Gilliana's suicide. I am sure he felt that he had his "back to the wall" with them all of the time. I wasn't very fond of Dan but he didn't deserve the crap that they put him through in Palmer Lake. Dale was always bending over, backward and forward and sideways for the mayor or a council member. I am glad I moved far away from there!

[Palmer Lake is nuts]

And we can only hope that if they fire Ferrin, that they won't bring Officer Brennan back! Talk about an evil jackass!!

[gruter]

What's the deal with these small towns anyway? Interference constantly on matters they know little or nothing about.

[Part Time Resident]

Palmer Lake is a great little place to vacation and over the past many years I have gotten to know the people who live there including the mayor and city council. The problem with the police in this small town (as well as many small towns across the country) is that they are public employees and servants of the people. Many act like little dictators and have no business in law enforcement. Ferrin is a clown and many of the other police offices who have come an gone are no better. Good luck PL in your new hires.

[gruter]

I have a feeling they will hire another winner and place them in the Chief's spot, continue to push that person past their limits and try the process all over again. They actually had a candidate, serving as an active chief, in a very demanding position, that in my estimation, was over qualified. Somehow they let that person slip past them.