Holly police chief placed on paid administrative leave

Chief Elena Danishevskaya

HOLLY, Michigan – Holly Chief of Police Elena Danishevskaya is off the job, at least temporarily until the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department can investigate allegations made by 12 members of the police officers’ union which were included in a letter to Village Manager Jerry Walker entitled, “Vote of No Confidence.”

According to a press release issued by the village of Holly on Sept. 4, the “Vote of No Confidence” letter cites 19 separate incidents of actions or inactions on the part of Danishevskaya which the signers allege amount to mismanagement of the police department policies and procedures.

The letter was referred to Village Attorney Richard Figura for review and investigation. Figura, in turn, referred the complaint on to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department for a full investigation and the eventual submission of a report of its findings to members of the Holly Village Council.

“Having the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department conduct the investigation ensures that it will be performed by a neutral third party with police department management experience,” the press release reads. “The investigation by the Sheriff’s Department will be performed by a unit within the department with experience in handling such investigations and will be at no cost to the village.”

In the meantime, the press release says, Danishevskaya has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Department has made the investigation a top priority, and has promised village officials that it will report back as quickly as possible while protecting the rights of all involved.

Danishevskaya responds to press release

“The following is my response to the Village of Holly Press Release issued on September 4, 2012.

I have been placed on administrative leave solely in retaliation for my having filed a complaint of sex discrimination and sexual harassment against the Holly Village Manager Jerry Walker and Holly Council Member Thomas Clark.  The complaint was filed in writing the week of March 11th, 2012 per the Village of Holly Policies and Procedures.  It included my concerns that Councilman Thomas Clark had sent me sexually explicit emails including a video of a topless woman shooting a handgun, made sexually inappropriate comments to me and hugged me inappropriately.  I also expressed concerns that the Village Manager Jerry Walker treated me differently then male Department Heads as well as treating me in a discriminating matter.

Almost six months after my complaint was made, on August 23rd, 2012, the Village finally got around to issuing its findings, which are required by the policy.  The Village found against me on every one of my more than 20 different allegations.  On the SAME DAY, I received an undated letter which is referred to as a vote of no confidence.  The things listed are not violations of policies and procedures and are a clear attempt to create a record against me.  Some of things listed date back over one year ago, and were never mentioned at the time.  Several are just flat out misstatements.  I have responded in writing to each one.

It is clear to me that since the day I filed my complaint of discrimination, Village Manager Walker has made his mind up to get rid of me.  The latest press release, which is inaccurate, and leaves out important information, and my being placed on an administrative leave is further evidence of that.

I have submitted my letter of resignation to the Village.” 

Sgt. Michael Story is currently the acting Chief of Police.