Traditional top-down performance reviews can also cause intimidation among employees and make them fearful of acknowledging weaknesses, says Samuel A. Culbert, a management professor at the University of California, Los Angeles and co-author of the book "Get Rid of the Performance Review!"

WSJ: Performance Reviews Lose Steam

Culbert says such a system is working well in the Madison, Wis. police department, close to the epicenter of the union controversy.

FORBES: Why Performance Reviews Are Worse Than Collective Bargaining

Antrim boss Mickey Culbert described Madden's retirement as a "massive loss" to the county.

BBC: Kevin Madden has been involved with Antrim for a decade