On May 5, News Channel 7 found out that Pickens Chief of Police Tommy Ellenburg was suspended for using “racially insensitive remarks.”
At the time, Mayor David Owens said he would not give specifics about what those remarks were, but said Ellenburg was given a “final warning” that such remarks would not be tolerated.
Tuesday, News Channel 7 reporter Melissa Keeney, through a Freedom of Information Act request, found out exactly what those remarks were and the details of when they were said.
Pickens Administrator Katherine Brackett told us that a “subordinate officer” brought the complaint to her. She was told that Ellenburg had used “racial slurs.”
The complainant went on to tell Brackett that Ellenburg, while talking to other police officers, used racially derogatory comments to citizens, including the n-word. Brackett says Ellenburg also used the n-word to refer to members of the city council.
The chief, Brackett said, admitted to using the word and apologized before the city council.
Brackett told us Ellenburg, outside of this incident, was an “exemplary employee” and was never disciplined before regarding anything like this.
Ellenburg was suspended without pay for the comments.
Brackett says they are using the incident as a “learning opportunity” and are amending their harassment and discrimination policies to a more strict “zero tolerance” policy.
Brackett says the city now requires sensitivity training annually for all city employees.
Ellenburg will return to work on May 25. Until then, Mayor Owens says, Assistant Chief Rodney Gregory is in charge.
The mayor's office released the following release on May 5:
"The City of Pickens Administration recently learned that Police Chief Tommy Ellenburg had used racially insensitive and derogatory remarks. Such conduct is not acceptable to the city and will not be tolerated. As a result of such actions, Chief Ellenburg was given a final warning and an unpaid 15 day suspension. Chief Ellenburg understands the seriousness of his actions and has apologized."
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement