Terminated officer should be reinstated

To the editor:

With all due respect, but what a joke to terminate Officer Rodney Richardson for attending church. This has to be an all-time low for the department as justification to fire an officer, especially when the officer is under doctor care and has a valid reason to not report to work. I am deeply disappointed in the unnecessary actions taken by the chief, and I'm assuming supported by the mayor, considering the chief of police answers to the mayor. Now the question, will the City Council rise up to do justice and stop this abuse of power from the desk of the chief of police?

What happened to "DUE PROCESS?" To my understanding, Officer Richardson should have been given an opportunity to share his version of the facts, before instantly terminated by the chief of police. At the least, Officer Richardson should have been placed on leave (with pay) pending an investigation, to determine if the recommendation by the chief warranted a termination of his employment.

Now, I understand the concerns of officers who once spoke out against the abolishment of the Civil Service Board, which heard and decided matters regarding police issues. To my understanding, after speaking briefly with one of the Council members, nothing has ever been established to replace the Civil Service Board, although there has been discussion on the issue. The only option Officer Richardson has at this point is to appeal to the City Council and hope for fairness in saving his job. In light of the lack of diversity within the BPD, I strongly suggest that the mayor and chief take the lead in the implementation of short- and long-term strategies for mentoring minority and women to consider a career in law enforcement. (Blytheville police staffing is approximately 88 percent white compared to 12 percent African-American). This does not reflect the diversity of the city of Blytheville and the Sheriff Department/county employees are even worse, which I'm presently studying this report and will share more information in the early months of 2013.

I also would challenge each and every police officer to come forward in unity and support your fellow officer. No, I don't mean to strike, but to ask for a meeting with the mayor, chief and Council members, to give you men and women the opportunity to share your concerns on this very important issue. Remember, this is not just about Officer Richardson, but this unfair and injustice may very well confront you next. I also consider these adverse actions to Officer Richardson to be a violation on Human Rights and Civil Rights as well, which will greatly impact his medical coverage and financial means to support his family.

Questions in regards to "sick pay/leave": Chief, would an officer be fired for going to the Walmart Drug Store to fill a medical prescription? Would an officer be fired for accompanying spouse or child to a doctor visit? Would an officer be fired for dropping the kids off and picking them up from school? Or would an officer be fired for going outside to pick up the Sunday paper? I believe any God-fearing Christian, or reasonable minded citizens will agree, that going to church seeking a healing from God does not warranty the termination of Officer Richardson, and he should be reinstated to BPD, and rightly compensated for any and all lost due to this unnecessary termination.

In conclusion, I call your attention to the topic of my article, "Workplace diversity/citizen review board must be high priority for city/county governments. The month of May 2012, the NAACP asked that the Department of Justice visit the city of Blytheville to hear concerns regarding the Blytheville Police Department. This meeting involved the mayor, chief of police, CRS representative -- a division within the Department of Justice, and NAACP legal redress chairman Tony Hollis. We all discussed the NAACP proposal plan on the creation of a citizen review board, which all participants of this meeting agreed to the proposed plan. However, the plan must first be submitted to the Municipal League Attorney and then to the Council members for final approval. We now learn, some seven months later, that the Municipal League attorney is against such plan, which this is another story in itself, considering the Municipal League attorney didn't have a clue what I was talking about when I called him, because he had not received anything from the mayor or chief prior to our initial meeting of May 2012 on proposed plan. I hope to discuss this matter later and will be calling upon churches, individuals, etc. to please support the NAACP efforts in the pursuit of fairness and justice in the investigation of citizen complaints filed with the Blytheville Police Department. For more information or how you may help, please refer to contact information below. Thanking all concerned citizens in advance and may God bless the city of Blytheville.

James Tony Hollis
Chairman of NAACP Legal Redress

Cell: 870-623-0553
Email: jahollis94@sbcglobal.net