Great Bend Mayor Mike Allison has served as mayor since 1999 but will not seek re-election this November.
Great Bend Mayor Mike Allison said he would not comment on why the Great Bend City Council decided to immediately suspend Great Bend Police Chief Cliff Couch Monday night after a special meeting. Several council members also avoided any comments following the decision to suspend Couch with pay while also leaving the suspension open to possible termination.
Council member Dana Dawson, who has been vocal of his opposition to how this case has been handled throughout the last two months, says harmful action is being taken out on Couch without knowing all the facts about the police chief’s decision to bring up concerns with possible misconduct from city administration.
Dana Dawson Audio
The Police Department has been understaffed for quite some time now, there’s no denying that. The reason for the officer shortage could fall into compensation, being overworked, or a harassing work environment.
Couch mentioned at the June 5 council meeting that he was chastised by City Administrator Howard Partington and Allison after bringing up the concerns with the Police Department. Couch had issues with the order to remain silent and other procedures he was asked to carry out.
After both Couch and the City of Great Bend hired attorneys, and several executive sessions discussing the issues and accusations, the city council voted 5-3 Monday night to suspend the police chief, that was hired in 2015, with possible termination.
Dawson felt as if the mayor came up with this decision and told the council what they were doing Monday night with nobody knowing of the action until the meeting.
Dana Dawson Audio
The six members Dawson referred to as embarrassed to be on the board with include Allison and council members Joel Jackson, Vicki Berryman, Wayne Henneke, Allene Owen, and Mike Boys who all voted to have Couch suspended. Dawson, Cory Zimmerman, and Brock McPherson all voted against the measure.
Couch was suspended with pay and has until Friday, July 28, 2017 to make a notice for a hearing and give his rebuttal to the council’s decision. Couch mentioned he intends to file for a hearing but if he did not, his termination would take effect July 31. A hearing will be set within two weeks after Couch makes the notice, with the council getting the final say following the hearing.
The notice handed to Couch elaborated that the governing body did not feel confident Couch could perform his job after making false accusations against Partington, commenting he could not set aside their differences, and for not conducting a harassment investigation.