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Two fired from Alexander police |
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Wednesday, 09 July 2008 |
Ex-fire chief, reserve officer allegedly spent night at fire station
A former Alexander fire chief and a reserve police officer have been terminated from the Alexander Police Department after allegedly spending the night together in the city fire station.
“A male and a female are going to spend the night together at the fire station for what reason?” Alexander Mayor Shirley Johnson said in regard to the incident.
Patrick Duvall, 30, who was the fire chief as well as a part-time police officer and has served with the department for less than a year, reportedly spent the night with reserve officer Cindy Hood, 23, at the department on June 28. Duvall reportedly had asked other firefighters to leave the station before Hood arrived.
Both Hood and Duvall are married to other people, Johnson said.
“I was told he asked all the firemen to leave the fire station on [June 28] because he needed peace and quiet,” Johnson said. “He and Hood then spent the night in the fire station together.”
After learning of the allegations, Johnson terminated Duvall on June 30, and on July 3 Duvall turned in a notice of appeal to the city of Alexander.
On Monday, a special City Council meeting was called to discuss the issues. Following an executive session in which Duvall pleaded his case, the council unanimously decided not to override the mayor’s decision, Johnson said.
“[Duvall] actually pulled me aside before the executive session,” Johnson said. “He told me that no matter what the results of the decision were, that it would be the end of it. He said he wasn’t mad at me. I took that as he wasn’t going to fight for his job any further.”
On Tuesday, both Duvall and Hood received a letter from the Alexander Police Chief, Allen D. Spears, terminating their employment. Duvall was a part-time officer serving on weekends and Hood was a reserve officer as well as a volunteer firefighter.
“I would like to take this time to thank you for your dedication while serving as an officer,” the letter states. “One must realize we as law enforcement have a higher standard to display to the public. ... this incident has brought discredit upon the Alexander Police Department, which violates rules and regulations. Effective this date, your employment with the Alexander Police Department has been terminated... .”
Johnson said there is no active search and no date set at this time to replace the chief, but said Capt. Taylar Shell, 26, will serve as interim fire chief. She also said she believes the fire department stands behind her decision.
“The morale in the department is down,” Johnson said, “which is one of the reasons why I terminated Duvall. I think he was aware that this was going to happen because I previously discussed problems I had with the department.”
Duvall and Hood were not available for comment at press time.
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