From what I have seen of him on the local TV, I think you may be exactly right.
Durham Manager Fends Off Criticism In Duke Case
http://www.nbc17.com/news/9222110/detail.html
DURHAM, N.C. -- City Manager Patrick Baker on Monday defended his interaction with police officers, after attorneys for a Duke University lacrosse player accused him of pressuring police in a rape investigation.
A 27-year-old woman told police she was beaten and raped by three lacrosse team members while she performed as an exotic dancer at a March 13 team party. Two players were indicted last month and a third was indicted Monday on rape and kidnapping charges.
Attorneys for Reade Seligmann, one of the indicted players, served Baker court papers regarding pretrial motions in the case.
"From reports in the paper, the city manager, who hires and fires the Durham city police chief, has personally interviewed all officers in this matter, and the defense is concerned it may be improper and will impose pressure on Durham city officers to get their stories straight," Baker said, reading the notice at a Durham City Council meeting Monday night.
Baker said he interviewed the officers who initially handled the case after the March 13 party to see what happened that night. A Duke campus police report said Durham police didn't believe the woman was credible, noting she had changed her account of the alleged rape.
"As the city manager, the buck stops with me regarding my police officers and the quality of their investigation," he said. "I'm not asking them to get their stories straight at all. But as the chief executive officer of this organization, it's my duty to know what's going on, and I am in touch at all times."