Attorney Janie Varnell said Saturday two Collegedale police officers were fired after they questioned an alleged quota arrest system.
Attorney Varnell said she plans to sue Collegedale Police Chief Brian Hickman and City Manager Ted Rogers.
Attorney Varnell, of the firm of Davis and Hoss, said, "On July 3rd, 2019, Davis & Hoss, P.C.
filed a lawsuit against the city of Collegedale, City Manger Ted Rogers, and Chief Brian Hickman following the termination of Officer Robert Bedell after he complained about the Department's illegal quota system. Subsequently, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation into the Department and its quota system. Two officers cooperated in that investigation and have now been terminated.
"Officers Kolby Duckett and David Schilling, like Officer Bedell, first voiced their own concerns about the quota system to city of Collegedale Commissioners. Once the TBI Investigation began, both officers were voluntarily interviewed despite well-founded fears of retaliation. Now, those two officers have been terminated with no explanation provided.
"This is just another example of the city of Collegedale, Chief Brian Hickman and City Manager Ted Rogers terminating skilled officers simply because those officers brought attention to the illegal quota system implemented by the Department.
"Tennessee law protects public employees who bring attention to the illegal activities of their employers. I will be filing suit against City Manager Ted Rogers, Chief Brian Hickman and the city of Collegedale for the illegal firing of these outstanding officers who were serving and protecting our community by speaking out against unlawful quotas.”
Three members of the Collegedale City Commission have called for an emergency meeting of the commission "to discuss the current and future state of the Collegedale Police Department, City Administration, and the welfare of the city to discuss what are appropriate or necessary actions, and to take any action if appropriate, the welfare of the City demanding it."
The call is from Vice Mayor Tim Johnson and Commissioners Debbie Baker and Ethan White.
The three commissioners said, "Per City Charter 6-20-208 and the city welfare demanding it, we in our elected capacities, and in meeting the legal requirement of two commissioners, are requesting a special called emergency meeting of the Collegedale Board of Commissioners (quorum) to discuss the current and future state of the Collegedale Police Department, City Administration, and the welfare of the city to discuss what are appropriate or necessary actions, and to take any action if appropriate, the welfare of the City demanding it.
"We request that immediate notification of all commissioners and necessary staff, in writing per the city charter, at least 12 hours before said meeting. Meeting shall be Monday, September 9, at 630 or immediately following Board of Zoning Appeals, or Tuesday, September 10, at 6 p.m.
"Thank you for quickly taking action. This email serves as notice to take action not an optional request."
Sincerely,
Vice-Mayor Tim Johnson
Commissioner Debbie Baker
Commissioner Ethan White
Earlier on Friday, Tonya Sadler, clerk of the Collegedale Court who has long been the police public information officer, said, "As of this morning, I was notified by Assistant City Manager Michelle Toro that I will no longer be the Public Information Officer for the Collegedale Police Department. Bridgett Raper of the Small Cities Coalition of Hamilton County will now be in that role. All media inquiries related to the police department should now be sent to Mrs. Raper.
"I have really enjoyed getting to meet and work with so many of you since I became the PIO more than five years ago. I remain in service to the public as the Court Clerk for the City of Collegedale. Please feel free to contact me for any court inquiries or document requests."
Ms. Raper represents several smaller cities with her Small Cities Coalition firm.