Ute tribe's police chief steps down

Ute tribe's police chief steps down
Whiting to stay on as patrol leader, investigator

Dec. 9, 2000

By Jim Mimiaga
Journal Staff Writer

DUSTY WHITING

The chief of police for the Ute Mountain Ute tribe has voluntarily stepped down from his post, citing disagreement over management styles with a new Bureau of Indian Affairs superior in Albuquerque.

But Dustin "Dusty" Whiting, 42, will remain on the small Ute force, heading up the patrol division of seven officers as a lieutenant.

"We had some differences of opinion that were making it difficult for me to do my job as chief," Whiting said Thursday of his decision. "(The problems) didn’t seem to be reconcilable so I requested a reassignment that I’m happy with because I want to stay with this department."

A 10-year veteran of BIA criminal investigations, Whiting transferred to the Ute tribe agency in February 1999. Under his leadership, the reservation community of some 2,000 witnessed expansions and upgrades in its law-enforcement division, both in facilities and community-policing efforts.

Within weeks of his arrival, Whiting successfully oversaw the investigation of the brutal Ritche Clark murder, which resulted in the eventual arrest and conviction of three locals now serving substantial prison sentences.

He stationed a deputy in White Mesa, an isolated reservation community of Utes located south of Blanding, Utah, that had no permanent officer for some time. In addition to duties as chief, Whiting also served as the officer in White Mesa, where he now resides. Whether he will remain there or relocate closer to Towaoc is unclear.

More individual accountability within the department has also been a big improvement, he said, leading to safer, more reliable police service and better employee morale.

Perhaps Whiting’s best accomplishment was his involvement in bringing the new Chief Ignacio Detention Center to Towaoc, which opened last month. The ultra-modern $9 million facility can house up to 78 adult or juvenile inmates. It sports a new dispatch center, administration space and expanded rehabilitation and work-release programs.

The new center replaces cramped and aging inmate quarters and offices that at one point led to a lawsuit in 1997 against the tribe for inadequate jailing facilities.

"Getting out from under the consent decree (to bring it up to standards) was a big job that we all worked hard to make happen," he said. "We are all very proud of the new center and it was just a huge undertaking on everyone’s part to line everything up, bring on new staff, and move over there."

He credited his staff, including patrol deputies, detention supervisor Keith Elliott, detention officers, dispatch, the tribal council and the BIA for their dedication towards a smooth transition to the new jail. It was built by the tribe’s own Weminuche Construction company.

Whiting related how the Clark murder set the tone in the department for a crime-prevention philosophy that embraces high-profile police presence on area roads and town foot beats. He is convinced that more direct police interaction with community members can go a long way towards stopping troubling situations before they get out of hand, as they did the night Clark was beaten to death by drunk acquaintances.

"I hope to continue with that high-visibility tactic," he said, adding that his new position relinquishes his role as public-information officer for the department.

"That is one of the treasures I had to give up."

Whiting had advocated an open-door style in media relations in a department that historically was reluctant to release information regarding crimes on the reservation. He initiated a Towaoc police blotter that brought both praise and controversy.

"It’s important. The public has a right to know what is going on, good or bad, within their own community," he said. "I have had mostly positive feedback, but there were certainly those against me talking to the media."

His temporary successor, BIA criminal investigator Bill Yazza, vowed to continue cooperative relations with the press regarding public-safety issues and major crimes.

"It will be business as usual, and we will continue with keeping an open line to you and the public," Yazza said Friday, adding that certain media requests "will have to go through the head office."

In some ways, Whiting represented a catalyst for change in law enforcement on the reservation that brought support, but also criticism and scrutiny. Complaints were lodged against him in a resolution signed by Ute Chairman Ernest House last April, but following an internal investigation by the BIA, no charges of wrongdoing were substantiated, nor was Whiting reprimanded.

Whiting said that his decision to step down had nothing to do with the unproven allegations, but that his discussion about the case and others with the Cortez Journal "was not always appreciated."

Overall though, Whiting’s amicable demeanor, open-door policy, fairness and professionalism bought kudos from the community and his troops.

"I’m sad to see him leave as chief because he has good leadership qualities and is always very professional," said Tina Galyon, student-support coordinator for the tribe.

"He interacted with education very well and I think that the public really appreciated seeing stories about what was going on, whereas before there was less of that."

"This area is changing really fast and that can bring negative attitudes. I think Dusty was up against that a lot," she said.

"There is not any animosity on my part," Whiting said, describing the situation with a lighthearted analogy: "It’s like a new coach of the ball team comes along, and with that comes a new quarterback."

"I’ll make a good defensive end, which is just as important in the big picture," he said. "It feels good to have the new position, less stress, and I actually had a day off recently."

The tribe will be advertising for the chief position soon, Yazza said.