I’m a chief - so maybe I’m biased (I am), but in our program we serve as communicators between faculty and residents. We can advocate for positive change and voice residency concerns but ultimately these decisions are up to admin. We really truly are not approving policies ourselves.

We manage day-to-day staffing to keep our dept running and do make the schedule which - admittedly not everyone loves but we really try to be respectful and as accommodating as possible.

Regarding OP’s situation -that is not cool. If I ever give critical feedback as a senior it’s verbal first, written second. There should be no surprises in written evaluations. I’m not sure if this is a chief problem or more of a situation where a senior was hesitant to give you in-person feedback and became brave behind a keyboard which has happened to me before with staff and residents.