INTERIM CHIEF PASCHALL STEADIES THE BPD SHIP AFTER ABRUPT RODRIGUEZ DEPARTURE, DEALS WITH BACKSTABBING

Interim Chief James Paschall

Staring down the barrel of a wrongful termination lawsuit of two officers, former Chief Orlando Rodriguez abruptly jumped ship August 7, announcing his retirement, failing to fulfill a promise he'd made to serve at least one year following a hefty raise authorized by the Brownsville City Commission.

The day following Rodriguez's resignation, Commander David M. Dale, was announced as "acting Brownsville Police Chief."

The subsequent department turmoil under Dale's leadership caused interim City Manager Michael Lopez to take action just over one month later, announcing on September 17 the appointment of Officer James Paschall as Interim Police Chief.

Lopez said at the time of Paschall's appointment:  

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of James Paschall as Interim Police Chief of the Brownsville Police Department. Paschall’s commitment to the department will be an asset as he oversees administrative operations."

Officer Dale was re-assigned to the fiscal department, supervising payroll and time clock issues.

Paschall, incidentally, is not one of the current eight candidates for Brownsville Police Chief, but is highly regarded as a no-nonsense, older officer.

In recent days, a letter, written in almost identical style to the long-winded nine page public resume' praising the attributes of Officer David M. Dale, has surfaced with biting criticism of Interim Chief Paschall:

Commander Dale

"Who's running the PD

There's a lot of talk going round about who's in charge of the police department.

Since Chief Rodriquez retired, the interim police chief Commander Paschall is running the department or so it seems.  He is doing a less than mediocre job.  

In fact, Commander Paschall is more concerned with leisure activities that include everlasting naps in his office and meandering all over town with his son while on duty.  Commander Paschall is incapable of running the police department.  His managerial derailment has allowed everyone to do as they please. . . . . "

Privately, some officers do not agree with this assessment of Paschall's performance as Interim Police Chief.

One thing is certain.  Most do not seem to favor David M. Dale as Brownsville's next Police Chief.   A poll taken among members of the Brownsville Police Officers Association placed David Dale dead last among the eight candidates currently applying for the job of chief.