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Facebook post from Richmond Police HR chief irks rank-and-file

Posted at 11:31 PM, Jul 14, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-15 06:49:29-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham has asked for an investigation after a Facebook post - that appears to be made by the department's Chief of Human Resources - irked some Richmond Police officers.

"It creates a problem with officers who rely on HR to support them, because it's supposed to be a place officers can turn to,” said Tony Paciello, the President of the Richmond Coalition of Police.  “But now they’ll second guess themselves because of what she posted on Facebook."

Paciello is talking about the head of Richmond Police human resources Antoinette Archer. On Monday, Archer appeared to post some stiff medicine to readers of her personal Facebook page. She urged her unnamed audience to stop whining, pointing out, “it’s your responsibility to ensure that the position you accepted provides for those things,” such as your own expenses, including daycare, a car note or future weddings, divorce or death.

The post ended with the hashtags: #not my fault you bought a Mercedes on a Ford salary, #wear payless, #get a side hustle,” and  several others.

Archer’s salary is nearly $94,000 a year with a take-home vehicle, paid for by taxpayers. WTVR CBS 6 went to Archer's home, to ask her about the post. A city car was parked out front, but no one answered the door.

"I had a conversation with the HR chief and she understands I have issues with it and we are looking into it," Chief Durham said late Tuesday.

Durham often talks about his five “focus” points to make Richmond Police a desirable workplace, but some officers said the Facebook post on the HR chief’s page does not help.

"Especially for not getting raises for a five- to six-year period, and trying to fix the morale in the department that was spiraling downward,” said Paciello. “This just throws gas back onto the fire."

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