Metro's transit police union has called for the ouster of the agency's police chief in a unanimous no-confidence vote made last week.
The labor group, called the Metro Transit Police Labor Committee, blames Chief Michael Taborn for failing to fix a "dangerously unreliable radio system" that fades out in the underground subway stations. They also said he shows "a disturbing pattern of emphasizing public relations" and placating management over the safety and needs of rank and file officers.
His "arrogant" and short-sighted" leadership will put officers and riders in danger, said a union statement.
The union also accused the transit agency of retaliating to the criticism by putting the labor group's head under investigation.
Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said she could not comment on personnel matters. She also added that the labor committee had not informed Taborn of the no-confidence vote as of Thursday. But she said it isn't surprising that recent organizational changes would prompt reactions from the labor committee.
Taborn, a longtime employee who took over as chief in 2008, has transferred some administrative work to the civilian staff and changed how revenue is collected, freeing up officers to return to policing work, she said. He has also introduced MetroStat computer-driven crime analysis, increasing accountability of supervisors by measuring crime.
On Thursday, tensions escalated when the union accused the agency of retaliating against the chairman in response to the publicity about the vote. The agency told the Metro Transit Police Labor Committee chairman James Duncan that he is being investigated for allegedly lying at an arbitration hearing, according to the union's attorney.
"I am to believe that it is mere coincidence of timing that they decided to investigate it after all this stuff hits the street about the 'no confidence' resolution?" said Justin Keating.
The union plans to deliver the Jan. 12 resolution to Metro's board, General Manager Richard Sarles and local elected officials.
The vote, made by more than 100 officers was first reported by the blog Unsuck D.C. Metro. Taborn has overseen the controversial start of random bag searches, which have triggered complaints. And on Jan. 2, a violent assault occurred at the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station, prompting concern among riders about the safety of the system. But Farbstein said arrests have risen in 2009 and 2010 under Taborn's watch.
