Smith out, Navarre in as Toledo police chief; shuffle triggered by blowup with mayor.

Byline: Christina Hall and Erica Blake

Jun. 28--A confrontation yesterday between Toledo police Chief Jack Smith and Mayor Carty Finkbeiner led to the chief's resignation and the mayor selecting the former chief as his permanent replacement.

The heated discussion that led Chief Smith to resign his position and return to the rank of captain occurred in the mayor's office during a morning meeting about the city's gang situation. Hours later, former Chief Mike Navarre -- whom Mr. Finkbeiner replaced six months ago -- accepted the top police job effective immediately. "When [Chief of Staff Bob] Reinbolt called me and asked me if I would be interested, without hesitation, I said, 'Yes,'" said Chief Navarre, 50, who will be paid about $92,000. Captain Smith, a 33-year veteran, said his decision was not easy, especially when he expected to serve as chief for two years. However, he said, he was "treated in a way I will not accept." "To use his words, he is the big bull in the pasture. If he decides he wants to be the only bull in the pasture, I'll find another pasture," the 58-year-old captain said of Mr. Finkbeiner.

The captain said he can tolerate criticism, but, "I will not tolerate abuse." He said he is not the only administrator in the Finkbeiner administration who is "unhappy with the way they're being treated."

"[Mr. Finkbeiner] is not a coach. He is not a cheerleader. He's a senior executive of a major city, and he needs to act like that," he said. Captain Smith said the confrontation "was very close to being physical" and that an administrator stepped in between him and the mayor. Mr. Finkbeiner denied the situation escalated to that point, but said both men stood from their chairs. "If anybody here thinks this 67-year-old man is going to take on a stronger, younger, ex-Marine with a revolver on his hip, you're wrong," the mayor said during a news conference. Mr. Finkbeiner said the confrontation focused on a gang activity report, which he thought was too general. He wanted a more focused report on where gang activity was occurring. The mayor also disagreed with the former chief when he said there was no more crime in the city's 4th Ward, which includes the Lagrange area, than 10 or 15 years ago. "The most important thing I'm concerned about is that every citizen of the city understands that ultimately the buck stops on my desk," Mr. Finkbeiner said. "I can't be guided by what people think of me. I have to be guided by what will move the city forward." Captain Smith said this was not the first run-in he's had with the mayor, but it was the first time it got that heated.

Mr. Finkbeiner said it was the "only single difference of opinion with Jack Smith I've had in six months," admitting that both men are "bull-headed individuals and, at times, we can both be bulls in a china shop." Sgt. Richard Murphy, the police department's public information officer, also said yesterday he will retire after 33 years on the force.

Dan Wagner, vice president of the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association, said he was a little surprised by Captain Smith's resignation and "totally shocked" by the mayor's decision to rehire Chief Navarre. "It's amazing how a man that just a few months ago wasn't capable of doing the job is now back as chief of police," he said, adding that the union has ...