The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #15 votes no confidence in Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson

DOVER, Del. – The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #15 has issued a vote of no confidence in Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson. The lodge reported that 93 percent of its members voted that they did not believe Chief Johnson was fit to lead the department.

According to a press release, Lodge members submitted a complaint to the City of Dover Human Resources Department on December 7th, 2022, concerning the Chief’s alleged use of a city-issued vehicle and secondary employment.

The complaint alleged that Chief Johnson was seen using the vehicle outside of work hours and traveling to restaurants on evenings and weekends, at his second job as an adjunct instructor at Penn State University, and on personal trips. Complainants also alleged that Chief Johnson was unavailable during work hours because he was teaching classes at Penn State via Zoom.

“The men and women of the Dover Police Department are not afforded the same privileges as Chief Jonson Jr. Officers are prohibited from using their city-issued vehicles beyond incidental personal use while commuting to and from work,” the Lodge stated in the press release.

WMDT reached out to the Lodge and Chief Johnson, and neither was able to provide further comment.

On Monday, Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen issued a public letter to the citizens of the city, writing that leaders remain committed to public safety.

“These internal matters will be addressed and resolved appropriately between myself, Chief of Police, and the dedicated men and women of the Dover Police Department … Accountability within the department exists and is taken seriously. At the same time, there must be strong consequences for those who break the law, regardless of who they are or where they come from,” the letter stated in part.

In the letter, Mayor Christiansen also asked the community to continue to support members of law enforcement, calling their duties a thankless job.

“As Mayor, I stand in alignment with the Dover Police Department as a whole, including the leadership – supporting both their mission and their concerns. I believe a lot can be accomplished by sitting around a table, together – having open dialogue and expressing expectations,” Mayor Christiansen wrote.