Most recently, an internal investigation into alleged harassment by a veteran police officer created a rift among officers. The patrolman, Henry Lopez, allegedly drove a known burglar and drug abuser to the city limits and left him there. He reportedly denied the incident until a tape recording proved otherwise. The prospect of disciplinary action against Lopez generated a flurry of letters to the editor, supporting Lopez and questioning Cook's leadership. Cook, and even leaders of the Vacaville Police Officers Association, deny a connection.
People can say anything they want.
The Vacaville Police Officers Association would like to thank Chief Cook for his 25 years of service and dedication to the Police Department and the city of Vacaville. We wish him well in his future endeavors. Thompson acknowledged that there may be rifts between the administration and the association, but he did not know details. I think any time you have any kind of difficult personnel issue, there are tensions that arise from that,'' the city manager said late Wednesday. I've never known Mike Cook to run from any kind of fight.