May 26, 2003

Nevada Department of Public Safety's Director has resigned. This, to the relief of most employees within the department. In his short three years as director, he has caused more problems than he solved.

Many employees are relieved because they believe he was (and is) heavy handed, intimidating (with "little-man syndrome"), inefficient, unproductive, and divisive. He used "divide and conquer" tactics, and abused worker rights, perhaps even civil rights to get what he wanted. He got rid of employees who were in his way and allegedly used his inner circle to administratively assault those employees until they left.

All this has lead to poor morale, fewer working positions and more managers, high turn over, tensions in general, inefficiency,  fear and fear of retribution.

Then, to "top it all off" he was allowed to collect his pension of $70,000 plus his regular salary of $103,000 because the governor labeled his position as being critical due to a "shortage". (Appointed positions never have a shortage. Shortages are caused by political indecision) This was annoying not only to  department employees, but also to most state employees and the legislature. Now, the new acting director gets to double dip as well.

 Will this insanity never end?

The Governor should have known better than to hire Kirkland in the first place. Kirkland was embroiled in a major controversy regarding his successor just before he left the Washoe County Sheriff's department for state service. The governor, knowing all this still appointed him, showing he agrees with this type of behavior and immorality. Very troubling.

Kirkland wanted his subordinates accountable and responsible but refused to accept this for himself. His loyalists insulated him from this and catered to his ego. Those who helped him in his domination and deconstruction of the department need to be fired starting with the new acting director.

The governor supported Kirkland despite the turmoil and paid him extra. This shows he is incapable of properly evaluating his appointee and lacks managerial skills. Let's fire the governor too.