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Concerns Raised About New Metro Corrections Head

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Days after the mayor announced a new Metro Corrections director, WLKY learned of troubles at his old job.

Mark Bolton was the director of community corrections in Arizona. Multiple employees there had major concerns about how he was doing his job and how it affected public safety.

The concern centered on a no-confidence vote taken five months ago. The reason for their concern is the track record of prior and directors of Metro Corrections. There is a history of turmoil between management and corrections officers here.

"I thought, 'Oh my God, here we go again,' but I wanted to look further to see what was really going on," said Fraternal Order of Police head Tony Harris, who hoped a new director meant a new start for employees at Metro Corrections.

"I just got rave reviews about his ability to put together at team and manage that team in a positive way," said Mayor Jerry Abramson.

Bolton was introduced a week ago with the mayor touting his prior experience in Washington state and most recently, Arizona.

But Target 32 obtained a letter from a member of the Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association. It's notification of a no-confidence vote against Bolton. The letter states, "Mr. Bolton has severely damaged the morale of community corrections employees by his hostile and demoralizing behavior towards employees... and his actions lead to a paralysis of productivity."

The mayor's office said it was unaware of the complaints.

"Yeah, those were words that concerned us when we called to check it out," said mayor's representative Kerri Richardson. "They said we got it remedied. That was great because that shows us not only that he can communicate with those officers, but also take those changes and include them to make the agency better on down the road."

Employees' concern about Bolton's past is rooted in Metro Corrections' past.

Some FOP members held a no-confidence vote this summer against outgoing director Tom Campbell because of a deputy director who received at least six formal complaints, including at least one for sexual harassment.

That was preceded a few years back by several top officials in the department leaving under then-director George Detella.

Arizona officials said the complaints were due to his unwillingness to accept suggestions. Still, his soon-to-be employees are hopeful for change.

"That we have a director that will listen to us, that will stand by us, and that's going to be here awhile," Harris said. "That would help us."

The mayor's office claims Bolton was not aware of the no-confidence vote.

However, union officials in Arizona say they don't know that with 100 percent certainty. Harris said he's willing to let the past be the past.

Bolton takes over Nov. 24.