The Des Moines Police Guild told city officials they are not planning to reschedule a meeting with the meeting with the Mayor, after a meeting to discuss their letter demanding his resignation was cut short.

Before the beginning of the year, the Police Guild sent a letter to Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler asking for his resignation because of remarks he made regarding the investigation of a Des Moines Police officer shooting of Rosie, a Newfoundland dog.

A meeting between the Police Guild and the Mayor to discuss the guilds demands was cut short by unrelated police business.

On Thursday night, Jan. 27, City Manager Tony Piasecki said the Guild had decided there was going to be no further comment or communication regarding the Guilds demands for the Mayors resignation, and they were no plans to reschedule the meeting between the Mayor and the Guild.

Mayor Sheckler has said he has no intention of resigning. He does have some questions of the Guild, however. Sheckler wants know if a vote was taken by Guild members to approve the letter asking for his resignation, and if so did the Guild approve it? He also wants to know if the Guild as a group has addressed their demand that he resign, and he wants to know what was meant by the threat that was made at the end of the letter.

In the last paragraph of the letter Guild President Ross Stuth writes, “we believe your refusal to rectify the damage you’ve created will be met with significant opposition throughout the remainder of your term and in the future.”

At the Jan. 13 council meeting Interim Police Chief John O’Leary said he does not support the Guilds position of asking for Sheckler to resign.
“I personally do not agree with the letter or the request,” O’Leary said. He said it is ultimately for the Mayor and the Police Guild to decide, but he does not personally agree with it.

Sheckler said he is still willing to meet with the Guild. “I am willing to meet with anyone at any time,” Sheckler said.

While the Guild is now taking a stance of silence, as far as Sheckler is concerned the matter is not over. He said he still has questions of the Guild, and has every intention of responding their letter.

In their letter to Sheckler the Guild wrote, “The statements you directed toward the actions of the officers were unnecessary, defamatory and indicative of you and your current lack of support for the men and women who protect and serve our City and surrounding communities.”

In their letter the Guild cited this statement, reported by KCPQ channel 13 during their story about the vigil held for Rosie: “(Sheckler) tells us that an investigation into the shooting is underway. [Sheckler said] the officers ‘will continue to be on the job until the investigation is complete. There is no reason to file any criminal charges until the investigation is complete.’”

Sheckler has said he has done nothing wrong.
Shortly after receiving the letter Sheckler said, “the call for my resignation because I followed proper procedure is absurd.”

After he received the letter Sheckler immediately made plans to meet with the Police Guild to discuss their demands.

The Guild and the Mayor met briefly on Jan. 7. Guild President Ross Stuth, also a detective in the Des Moines Police Department, received information about a possible witness to a homicide in Des Moines he is investigating and had to cut the meeting short.