Friday, October 4, 2002
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Friday, October 4, 2002 |
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Jewell fired from Senoia Police Department By JOHN
THOMPSON
Senoia's highest profile police officer was quietly relieved of his duties Sept. 19. Officer Richard Jewell was terminated from his job, barely six months after he started his career in Senoia in late March. In records obtained from the city of Senoia, the main reason for Jewell's termination seems to be his interpersonal skills. "You were employed as a police officer with the city of Senoia on March 25, 2002 and since that time have been employed as a probationary employee. During this period, your skills, work habits, conduct and relationships with others have been observed." "Regrettably, your conduct and interpersonal working relationships with individuals in the police department, including your superiors and others in city government, have not been satisfactory," wrote Mayor Dianne Cleveland to Jewell in a letter dated Sept. 18. Cleveland's letter followed a letter dated Sept. 11 from Police Chief Chuck Cannarella, who recommended Jewell's termination. "Officer Jewell has stated that he is not happy with the work environment in the Senoia Police Department," said Cannarella. The police chief added the employment relationship is "not working out" and it would be beneficial for all parties for the relationship to end. In August, Jewell had questioned the scheduling of the Police Department. "When the new schedule was completed and we were informed by the administration that the officers were considered by seniority as to what shift they would work, I was puzzled as I had not been advised, contacted or questioned as to if I would like to be on the new swing rotation rather than the morning watch which I am currently assigned," Jewell wrote in an Aug. 9 memo. Responding to Jewell's memo, Major Ollita Bennett claimed Jewell knew about the schedule when he was hired. "I know you aren't happy with this shift, but I did ask you in your interview if you could work all shifts and you said yes. I have contacted (former police chief) Crowder this week and asked if at anytime he promised you a certain shift. His responses was no, that he did not promise you a certain shift and also you were told we are too small to have a traffic unit," Bennett wrote Aug. 10. City administrator Murray McAfee would not comment on the case.
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