By Gary Walker

Culver City Police Chief Donald Pedersen rejected claims by the Culver City Police Officers Association that he is partly responsible for the city’s rise in robberies during the month of August.

There were 12 robberies last month, according to police statistics. “There is a direct correlation between these statistics and Chief Pedersen’s lack of leadership,” asserted Sgt. Brian Fitzpatrick, a vice president with the association.

Pedersen contests the notionthat there has been a rise in robberies or violent crime over the last several years. “Last month’s statistics were slightly over the average for robberies,” the chief said. “No one wants to see an increase in robberies, but the fact of the matter is we live in an urban area.”

Pedersen pointed out that there were slightly over 30 robberies in the area patrolled by the Pacific Division of the Los Angeles Police Department, which includes Del Rey and Venice. He also thinks any comparison to crimes statistics in cities that are larger than Culver City is unfair. “Statistically it’s not a legitimate comparison,” he said.

Pederson also disputed the allegation by  Fitzpatrick and Officer Adam Treanor  that he has reduced the level of the force for  self-aggrandizing purposes. “The number of officers have been continually reduced. The one thing that stands out when you look at the other cities is they have significantly larger amounts of police officers and the chief has not hesitated to reduce the size of the department make himself look like a cost-cutter and a reformer,” Fitzpatrick claimed.

“Any staffing cuts that were made were necessary to help balance the city’s budget,” the chief noted. “I did not engineer any unnecessary cuts in personnel.”

Pedersen and the union are engaged in a public disagreement that has led to harsh rhetoric and a variety of allegations by the union. The police department, per the city’s charter, is under the purview of  Culver City’s city council. To date, the council has publicly supported the chief.

Pedersen also took issue with the association’s contention that the August robbery statistics were due to his leadership – or in Fitzpatrick’s words, “lack of leadership.” “I think it’s irresponsible for union members to resort to scare tactics to emphasize their point,” Pedersen  asserted. “I believe it’s our job to protect and not scare.”

The chief said he respects the officers of his police force and will do all that he can to assist them in protecting the city. “The men and women of our department do an outstanding job policing this city,” he said.