AMERICAN FORK -- Terry Fox, like many working people, pondered over the years how he would do things at work should someday he become the king.
Now he's finding out.After 17 years in law enforcement, Fox was selected in October 1998 as American Fork's new chief of police -- replacing the retiring John Durrant.
"I had a very well thought-out and laid-out plan of where I would go," Fox said.
Fox's management and philosophical changes appear to be working. After 16 months at the helm, Fox has calmed the turmoil that existed for several years between city administration and the police department. Rather than criticizing the police, city officials are now singing praises about Fox, the department and the direction it is heading.
"(Fox) has exceeded my expectations," Mayor Ted Barratt said. "He is a very visionary chief."
Fox took over at a very tumultuous time. For the few years preceding his appointment about the only time city officials and the police department made the news was when they fought each other.
Durrant was leaving after a four-year power struggle with former Mayor Jess Green. At one point Green unsuccessfully attempted to fire Durrant and police accused Green of failing to pay for a fountain drink at a convenience store. Most of the department's officers later sued Green and other city officials alleging civil rights violations.
A group of vocal residents called for a complete overhaul of the department amid allegations of misconduct and of harassing residents. An independent investigation eventually cleared the department of wrongdoing but recommended several procedural and administrative changes to restore public confidence.
Fox has implemented most of those recommendations, which has given most residents a bit more confidence in their police. Whether that added confidence is the result of changes in the department or because residents are simply happy the internal war is over, is uncertain.
Fox believes what residents are noticing is the department's new mission statement at work: "Build community, enforce with equity and serve with honor." The mission statement is painted on the side of each patrol car for residents to see.
The chief also reminds officers that the department is a service organization. He encourages them to show more effort and more concern in doing their jobs. He preaches that 2 percent more effort is the difference between good work and great work.
"It sounds like a simple thing, but here it meant a whole change in philosophy," Fox said. "But I have been very fortunate that the officers have seen my vision and have supported it."
Since taking over the department, Fox has also implemented a new officer conduct policy, internal affairs policy, uniform policy, switched to eight-hour shifts, created a citizens academy and started a traffic division where officers on Harley Davidson motorcycles enforce traffic laws.
The department is also operating under new organization and structure. For the first time in many years the department has an assistant chief, Steve Cornia. Fox has also empowered division sergeants with more authority.
"They've thrived on that. I've watched officers blossom," he said.
Some residents critical of the department in the past remain critical of the department today, claiming officers continue to perform their duties in an unprofessional way. Barratt, however, says the critics are few, will never be satisfied with the changes and will always find fault in the department.
"I don't think they'll ever be happy," he said.
Although city administration and police appear to be working in harmony, a black cloud from the past hangs over the city -- three ongoing lawsuits filed against city officials by former and current police officers. Two of the suits, filed by separate groups of officers, charge that the past administration created a hostile working environment for the officers.
The third suit, filed in January by Durrant and 17 officers, charges that Barratt, when he took over the mayor's post from Green, threatened to retaliate against officers involved in the first lawsuit. Durrant also makes a claim of constructive discharge, alleging that Barratt pressured him into quitting.
Barratt says the lawsuits won't affect the progress made by city administration and police.
"I think we can handle this in a professional way and keep it separate," he said.
Fox agrees and says the lawsuits are not an obstacle in the department's new direction.
"If it was really sticking in somebody's craw I think I'd hear about it," he said. "But (police officers) understand these things happened in the past and don't reflect on the city now."
Fox and five other officers settled with the city's insurance company for a total of about $64,000. However, negotiations between the insurance company and the remaining officers have stalled, and the cases are expected to proceed to trial.