By Andy Gammill, The Indianapolis Star
Lawrence’s police chief stepped down abruptly Wednesday, the latest in a chain of personnel changes that have rippled across the city government this year.
Mayor Deborah Cantwell said Police Chief James Parish resigned voluntarily for personal reasons. Parish will remain a Lawrence police lieutenant, and Cantwell said he is not permitted to talk to the media. His wife, Mary, is the city’s emergency communications director.
Cantwell appointed Lt. Daniel J. Gliszczynski to replace Parish. Gliszczynski was sworn in Wednesday as the third police chief in Lawrence this year. His salary will be $63,000 a year.
In the nine months since Cantwell took office, several department heads have resigned, including the deputy mayor, city controller and economic development director.
“I think part of the turmoil is created because we came into a city that had the same management for 16 years,” she said. “I think change in itself is upsetting. Even though people want to move forward, it’s difficult to accept change.”
Gliszczynski is a 21-year veteran of the police force and recently has been overseeing the day patrol shift as a lieutenant. He said he has some ideas for the direction of the department but no solid plans yet.
“This is pretty sudden that our chief decided to resign,” he said. “I’m nervous. It’s another challenge in my life, but I know I have the support of the mayor and the deputy mayor.”
Cantwell said Gliszczynski is the natural choice to lead the department, although he would be leapfrogging at least three higher-ranking officers.
She said that Parish’s resignation came as a surprise to her Wednesday morning, but added she had been talking with Gliszczynski for several days about how he might lead the department.
“I’ve known him as a lieutenant and (heard about) his management style from other police officers,” she said. “He came to mind as someone who could be a good replacement for him.”
City Council Vice President Kyle Walker said he thought Parish had been doing a good job but also likes Gliszczynski.
Constantly changing department heads makes the council’s job of working with them more difficult, he said.
“It adds to the uncertainty (in the city), and that’s the unfortunate part,” Walker said. “The council tries to build relationships with department heads, and any time there’s a turnover . . . you certainly have to start building those relationships again.”
Walker said he hopes the administration is making its decisions based on what’s best for residents rather than making political or personal decisions.
Edith Boring, a resident of the Lawrence area since 1933, said the Police Department needs some changes but suspects that the problems come from policies established by the mayor’s office.
Boring spoke recently at a City Council meeting to ask for better police patrols and more courtesy from officers in her neighborhood.
“I do think we need a change,” she said. “We need a police chief who’s compassionate and sympathetic, but you can’t have a mayor come in and put all her buddies in office.”
Cantwell said she still is working to make sure she has the best team in office to accomplish the goals she has set.
A public swearing-in ceremony for Gliszczynski is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday at Lawrence City Hall.