Police Chief Wayne Livesay can look back on his eight-year tenure and see improved technology in the department, lower crime in the community and solid relationships with many minority groups.
But he couldn?t avoid internal strife in the Howard County Police Department. Twice during Livesay?s employment, female Howard County police officers sued the department, alleging a culture of discrimination. In December 2003, county officials reached a $115,000 confidential settlement with now-retired Cpl. Linda Freeman, who accused the department of tolerating sexual harassment. Livesay, who is retiring to run for Howard County Council District 5, said Thursday that he was adamantly against settling the suit.
In a 2004 lawsuit, Officer Susan Ensko accused the police department of allowing to exist a “locker room” atmosphere. Livesay said he could not comment on the Ensko suit. In March, the police department was sued by Officer Michael Thorn, who alleged that Livesay was attempting to stymie the political speech of officers. Livesay said Thorn has an ax to grind because Livesay punished Thorn after Anne Arundel County police accused Thorn of running a poker operation.
But Thorn?s attorney, Clarke Ahlers, a former police officer, said Livesay?s authoritarian personality will hurt him as he runs for the County Council seat. “I think he?s been a micro-manager without the skill set to move the police department to real achievement,” Ahlers said.
But Livesay said he believes the transition to politics will be natural. “I tell it like it is,” he said. “If you try to please everybody, you?re not going to be a good manager.”
Editor?s Note
This is the third in a three-day series on the tenure of Wayne Livesay, Howard County?s longest-serving police chief. For additional stories on Livesay, visit www.bal timoreexaminer.com.
