Tim... This e-mail is a follow-up to our phone conversation 7/24/08 at aprx 1645hrs. I apologize to the members of the KCLEA/KCDSA with whom I have spoken regarding Sheriff Stelma's candidacy. I prefaced each conversation with a disclaimer that this was just a conversation between 2 people and I was offering them an opportunity to get involved if they choose to. I reassured them that I wld not contact them again and no records whatsoever were kept. I acknowledged that I wld respect whatever decision they made for whatever reason. I truly felt that I had 'leveled the field' and that 2 people cld have a friendly chat, as this is certainly one of the "hot topics" being bantered around the Dept.
Try as I may I must not have been successful, as reports of people feeling pressured have surfaced. I meant them no harm and was only offering some people with whom I had contact at HQ an opportunity to get involved. From this date/time forward I will not engage in any conversation regarding this topic with any employee unless that person initiates it. My apology again to those employees who were offended by my approach and/or conversation about the upcoming election.