PETITION TO REMOVE WDFW DIRECTOR ANDERSON, CHIEF CROWN & DEPUTY CHIEF CENCI

[ucwarden]

Well said bigtex.
 I know many Leos and several that have had first hand dealings with ucwarden. All seem to have one common perception, respect, period.  A  great measure is how you are judged by your peers. I can also say that they all haven't been friends or even liked him but all respected him.
Happy2hunt I have no dog in this fight but am seriously appalled by the article when the handicapped person was cited, so please defend this single action (please don't downplay it as isolated or put a statute of limitations on it). I have seen single actions end careers on several occasions and this would definitely be justified (imho).

And thanks to you too Tbar.  I do appreciate that most of my former peers respect the work I have done, and the person I strive to be, and am not a all surprised that some (or even many) don't care too much for me.  I tend to be pretty vocal and "brutally honest", which isn't always well accepted.

It really is nice to have support like this on this forum, and I do appreciate everyone's perspectives.

[wadu1]

I will start by saying thanks to UCWARDEN, tbar and bigtex; my 

I have been hunting in Washington since 1966 and I’m appalled to what the State government has done for us sportsman/women. In 1987 - Legislature changed Department of Game, with a Commission-appointed director, to Department of Wildlife with a Director appointed by the Governor Gardner Booth. Since this change I’ve seen a drastic decline in the number of hunters and game I assume due to the cost of tags and poaching. I dug out some regulations from the early 70’s, granted the administrative costs have gone up over the years back then I could get a license with tags for deer, elk, bear and cougar for under $30 dollars.
I’m hoping that UCWARDEN's petition works and they will look at changing WDFW back to a self-regulated entity and not some political appointment. Before 1987 all funds collected by the Department of Game and Fisheries went into their coffers to expand, control and enhance hunting and fishing within Washington. With the 1987 change all the funds go into the general funds and doled out to the rest of the State.
As hunters we pay an extra eleven present on purchases of firearms and ammunition through the Pittman-Robertson Act to protect search, surveys, management of wildlife and/or habitat.  Legal hunters and fishers buy licenses and these funds are used to manage the fish and wildlife resources of Washington in a responsible and perpetual manner along with the Federal funds generated by the Pittman-Robertson Act. I feel this funding is being squandered by the Politian’s to enhance the reintroduction of wolves (a non-native species) and other agendas.
I have personally known badge holder #1 (WDFW) for Washington and before his passing we talked about this and we were both in agreement, we need change a big change.

[bigtex]

In 1987 - Legislature changed Department of Game, with a Commission-appointed director, to Department of Wildlife with a Director appointed by the Governor Gardner Booth. Since this change I’ve seen a drastic decline in the number of hunters and game I assume due to the cost of tags and poaching. I dug out some regulations from the early 70’s, granted the administrative costs have gone up over the years back then I could get a license with tags for deer, elk, bear and cougar for under $30 dollars.
Before 1987 all funds collected by the Department of Game and Fisheries went into their coffers to expand, control and enhance hunting and fishing within Washington. With the 1987 change all the funds go into the general funds and doled out to the rest of the State.

Just some facts here. The fish and wildlife commission does in fact appoint the WDFW Director. The Fish and Wildlife Commission is appointed by the governor.

On the license/fee standpoint the old Dept of Fisheries was largely supported by tax dollars and as a result fishery fees went into the General fund. The old Dept of Wildlife was largely supported by license fees and they went into the wildlife fund. Since the merger of Fisheries and Wildlfie in 1994 the legislature has slowly moved fishing license allocation from the general fund to the wildlife fund. As of about 4 years ago ALL fish and wildlife related fees, licenses, etc go into the wildlife fund solely for WDFW. There is no more fishing license money being spent on some random agency.

[ballpark]

My guess is Happy2Hunt will not be posting anymore 

[jackmaster]

I have a feeling it will be much like what I know about your life and career....a dud.

Anybody that knows Vandivert knows his career was not "a dud." I've said it before, when Todd was awarded WDFW Officer of the year when he was still on patrol he not only made several hundred cases in one year but didn't receive a single complaint, and even had some violators send a letter in saying how fairly they were treated. As a law enforcement officer myself I know that you may be the most courteous person alive, but if you give someone a ticket they may just file a complaint even if it had no backing. The fact that Todd made that many cases and somehow didn't get a single complaint tells you how good of an officer he is, but also how respectable of a person he is.

Todd is known not only for his excellence in natural resource law enforcement, but law enforcement in general. It would be interesting to see how many current/former WDFW Officers (field officers, not Captains or HQ staff) would call Todd's career "a dud."

great post BIGTEX, i dont know UCWARDEN from adam, but i learned all i needed to learn just by reading his book, and then hearing stuff like you posted really shores it up....i think HAAPPY2HUNT might just be closely related to mr meyers or what ever, does not matter really, what really sucks is UCWARDEN not doing his best to end up being in charge of wdfw.... could you imagine UCWARDEN incharge of the department, things would definatly be looking up for washingtons fish and wildlife as well as the sportsman and it would mean doom for the wildlife trafficers and poachers.....yeah it sure would be nice

[ucwarden]

Jackmaster:

Thanks for the vote of confidence, but trust me when I say I have absolutely no chance of ever being employed by WDFW ever again, which is just fine with me.  I have found I can accomplish way more from the outside, as I am no longer constrained by the chain-of-command.

[Special T]

It requires a special person That can air the laundry and still be respected by those "on the inside" It can be a very dangerouse thing to be a whistleblower. It is not very often that you find some one with a stellar record That is willing to put up a fight after they are no longer obligated to... AND is still trusted enough to get information from former collegues to try and fix things. 

[trophyhunt]

It requires a special person That can air the laundry and still be respected by those "on the inside" It can be a very dangerouse thing to be a whistleblower. It is not very often that you find some one with a stellar record That is willing to put up a fight after they are no longer obligated to... AND is still trusted enough to get information from former collegues to try and fix things. 

1000% agree!!!

[ucwarden]

It requires a special person That can air the laundry and still be respected by those "on the inside" It can be a very dangerouse thing to be a whistleblower. It is not very often that you find some one with a stellar record That is willing to put up a fight after they are no longer obligated to... AND is still trusted enough to get information from former collegues to try and fix things. 

I want everyone to remember that I am retired.  I have nothing to lose by blowing the whistle.  But, I have been greatly assisted by about a dozen present WDFW employees, and they are hanging out a country mile to try to make things better for themselves and for all sportsmen.
They are the hero's.  I'm just a mouthpiece (and a dud of a ex-game warden).

[Rainier10]

Yeah you are...NOT A DUD.

Good job giving props to the guys and gals that are helping from the inside, you are correct they are really hanging it out there.

[6x6in6]

Thanks again for your efforts, Dud.   

[Special T]

It requires a special person That can air the laundry and still be respected by those "on the inside" It can be a very dangerouse thing to be a whistleblower. It is not very often that you find some one with a stellar record That is willing to put up a fight after they are no longer obligated to... AND is still trusted enough to get information from former collegues to try and fix things. 

I want everyone to remember that I am retired.  I have nothing to lose by blowing the whistle.  But, I have been greatly assisted by about a dozen present WDFW employees, and they are hanging out a country mile to try to make things better for themselves and for all sportsmen.
They are the hero's.  I'm just a mouthpiece (and a dud of a ex-game warden).

Its because YOU are the kind of person that is RARE, that those people are hanging their ass out a mile. THEY know  you will not divulge information that will hurt them and have the unique knowledge and ability to say what needs to be said. When people who don't even work for the WDFW (but are in the business) know the quality of your character and come to your defense its easy to see your the right guy.

[Wacenturion]

I have a feeling it will be much like what I know about your life and career....a dud.

Anybody that knows Vandivert knows his career was not "a dud." I've said it before, when Todd was awarded WDFW Officer of the year when he was still on patrol he not only made several hundred cases in one year but didn't receive a single complaint, and even had some violators send a letter in saying how fairly they were treated. As a law enforcement officer myself I know that you may be the most courteous person alive, but if you give someone a ticket they may just file a complaint even if it had no backing. The fact that Todd made that many cases and somehow didn't get a single complaint tells you how good of an officer he is, but also how respectable of a person he is.

Todd is known not only for his excellence in natural resource law enforcement, but law enforcement in general. It would be interesting to see how many current/former WDFW Officers (field officers, not Captains or HQ staff) would call Todd's career "a dud."

I would second the above.  Not only was Todd an example of what an enforcement agent should be, but he was also a team player interacting with other programs in the field.  Those actions not only showed support for efforts that tried to expand opportunity for hunters and fishermen, but by doing so, it greatly assisted in making a smooth implementation of those efforts.  I can't say the same for some of his counterparts.

His actions and his career being termed a "dud" is certainly a misnomer and are simply the results of wishful thinking in the minds of those who disagreed with him.  By the way, WDFW awards are nice and occasionally go to the folks that rightfully deserve them.  However the majority of those awards go to those that tow the line and don't rock the boat.  Enough said............



 

[jackmaster]

I have a feeling it will be much like what I know about your life and career....a dud.

Anybody that knows Vandivert knows his career was not "a dud." I've said it before, when Todd was awarded WDFW Officer of the year when he was still on patrol he not only made several hundred cases in one year but didn't receive a single complaint, and even had some violators send a letter in saying how fairly they were treated. As a law enforcement officer myself I know that you may be the most courteous person alive, but if you give someone a ticket they may just file a complaint even if it had no backing. The fact that Todd made that many cases and somehow didn't get a single complaint tells you how good of an officer he is, but also how respectable of a person he is.

Todd is known not only for his excellence in natural resource law enforcement, but law enforcement in general. It would be interesting to see how many current/former WDFW Officers (field officers, not Captains or HQ staff) would call Todd's career "a dud."

I would second the above.  Not only was Todd an example of what an enforcement agent should be, but he was also a team player interacting with other programs in the field.  Those actions not only showed support for efforts that tried to expand opportunity for hunters and fishermen, but by doing so, it greatly assisted in making a smooth implementation of those efforts.  I can't say the same for some of his counterparts.

His actions and his career being termed a "dud" is certainly a misnomer and are simply the results of wishful thinking in the minds of those who disagreed with him.  By the way, WDFW awards are nice and occasionally go to the folks that rightfully deserve them.  However the majority of those awards go to those that tow the line and don't rock the boat.  Enough said............

another awesome post, where did ya go happyfeet  well said wacenturian

[bigtex]

I've only met Myers briefly. From what I gather he started in Snohomish County and quickly moved to Pend Orielle County. While in PO County he won a regional officer of the year award, but also ruffled some feathers with the locals. Then he went down to Asotin County where he again ruffled some feathers and he became such an issue down there that he basically pleaded with WDFW to assign another officer to Asotin County basically for his safety. HQ gave in and if I remember correctly it was the first time two WDFW Officers were in Asotin County since the WDFW merger in 1994. He then promoted to the new Sgt's position under Lt. Crown in HQ, then when Crown got Chief he promoted to Lt, and earlier this year got promoted to Captain in Region 4. Again, promoted to the busiest region in WDFW and had never supervised a sole.

Now to his defense (and this is the only time I will be defending him) being an officer in a small/rural community is a lot different then in a large city. Most officers who have spent there life working in a city area and are instantly thrushed into a small/rural area do have issues because they are used to that high speed, in your face, rough mentality which many times doesn't fly in the smaller areas. Some officers can adapt to that and essentially have their big city mentality, and a rural mentality. So maybe the reason he had issues in Pend Orielle and Asotin Counties is because he was acting like an officer in say King County would act. I once heard a King County Sheriff's Office recruiter tell people "I could send a King County Sheriff's Deputy to Asotin County and their tactics would get them killed, I could also bring an Asotin County Deputy to King County and their tactics would get them killed." While LEOs all do the same thing, your environment truely influences your work mentality. I've worked big city and I've worked rurual, sometimes the big city mentality works in the rural areas, but many times it doesn't.