Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: MAY 2016 15 O ne of the things that defines lead- ership in law en- forcement circles is “big personalities.” But as is always the case, big personalities frequently clash. According to a recent article from the Advocate, Carmen DeSadier, the vet- eran Chicago corrections officer hired last year to turn around New Orleans’ troubled jail, is bailing out. DeSadier left the job af- ter a bitter power struggle within the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. The beef was mainly be- tween DeSadier and Sheriff Marlin Gusman’s right-hand man, Jerry Ursin. In her letter of resignation, DeSadier said that Ursin made her job virtually im- possible. She wrote that Ursin, a former high-ranking New Orleans police officer, “par- ticipates in the belittling of staff to make himself appear superior and to feed his ob- session to exercise authority over others.” “His abrasive tactics, questionable practices and bullying of personnel who attempt to work with me has created an atmosphere of fear and disdain,” DeSadier wrote in her letter. “This agency would be better served without his contemp- tuous influence.” This obviously puts the sheriff in a bit of a tight spot. “Interpersonal conflicts are a reality in the workplace and are not a true measure of someone’s professional ability,” Gusman said in a statement. Ursin declined to comment. Essentially it looks like a classic personality conflict. DeSadier devoted much of her letter addressing what she called Ursin’s “contrary actions” and “exaggerated sense of self-importance.” She also says the clash of personalities between Sheriff Gusman and Mayor Mitch Landrieu have made making any changes at the jail practically impossible. Landrieu’s administra- tion is required by state law to pay for the care of local inmates. But Landrieu has repeat- edly questioned Gusman’s ability to manage the jail. “It has become increasing- ly difficult, if not impossible, to achieve compliance with the reforms without an open and honest collaboration be- tween the two governmental agencies,” DeSadier wrote, referring to the Sheriff’s Office and City Hall. The experts and officials over- seeing conditions at the jail have expressed concerns that that the Sheriff’s Office has developed such a poor reputation nationally that it might be hard to recruit a new chief deputy. Personality clashes make change elusive Personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures. – F. Scott Fitzgerald PELICAN: WE HAVE YOU COVERED. You can extend your range and impact with the right flashlight from Pelican. From tactical operations to patrolling the neighborhood, Pelican has the best tools for the job. Go to Pelican.com for all the specs. 7000 LED TACTICAL LIGHT The First Pelican Tactical Light To Break 600 Lumens 2380R LED TACTICAL LIGHT 305 LUMENS 7060 LED TACTICAL LIGHT 368 LUMENS 8060 LED DUTY LIGHT 803 LUMENS NEW PELICAN™ 7000 LED FLASHLIGHT 602 LUMENS SHATTER THE LUMEN CEILING PELICAN.COM/APB • 866.838.9285 GUARANTEED FOR LIFE SEE PELICAN.COM/WARRANTY FOR FULL DETAILS. Pelican Products, Inc. 23215 Early Avenue, Torrance, CA 90505 Tel 310.326.4700 Fax 310.326.3311 All trademarks are registered and/or unregistered trademarks of Pelican Products, Inc., its subsidiaries and/or affiliates.