Turmoil in the Cedar Falls Police Department has resulted in a “No Confidence” vote today (Thursday) against Chief Rick Ahlstrom by the city’s police union. Officers voted 21 to five in favor of the “no confidence” measure with one officer abstaining.
Following the vote, and unsigned four-page letter was “respectfully submitted” by 21 Cedar Falls police officers to Mayor Jon Crews, members of the city council, and local media. In the letter the officers listed several issues that are causing the turmoil within the department. Among them are allegations of favoritism, intimidation, concerns about staffing levels, and problems with the recent firing of four officers.
For Ahlstrom, this marks the second time Cedar Falls officers have expressed a lack of confidence in his leadership abilities. The first time was in March of 2000, shortly after the city eliminated its public safety department and Ahlstrom was promoted to chief. A press release issued from Mayor Crews’s office declined comment.