FORT WRIGHT -- When confronted with stressful situations, suspended Police Chief Mark Brown screamed at his officers, taped himself making outrageous statements and demonstrated abusive behavior, a lawyer for the city alleged at Chief Brown's predisciplinary hearing Wednesday.
Much of the testimony from city witnesses focused on how the chief often used bad language in front of other officers, and how he had been known to shout at police and other city employees, or slam his fist down when he was upset by their behavior.
During his lengthy testimony, Chief Brown admitted raising his voice and using profanity at officers as a management tool and as a way to emphasize his points.
Much of the questioning by Rob Hudson, an attorney representing the city, centered around Chief Brown's behavior toward his officers. The chief discussed one occasion when he shouted at an officer for violating a departmental policy. But he added there have been times when his officers have shouted at him and he didn't retaliate.
Suspended without his $40,000 annual pay since June 11, Chief Brown stands accused of inefficiency, abusive or obscene language, immoral or improper conduct and discourtesy to the public or fellow employees.
Chief Brown's lawyer, David Barth, denied that his client's behavior was out of line.
Mr. Barth depicted Chief Brown as an efficient manager who operated with the city's best interests in mind, and had not demonstrated unusual behavior for someone in his position.
"Tough language and loud voices have been heard in police departments for ages," Mr. Barth said.
At times, Wednesday's predisciplinary hearing turned into a shouting match between lawyers from both sides. It was a continuation of a hearing set for July 29, which lawyers called off in hopes of negotiating a settlement.
Mr. Barth said Wednesday that he thought both sides had reached an agreement last week, after eight hours of talks. However, he said he received a letter from a city lawyer the next day saying that the deal was off.
While several past and present Fort Wright police officers told Wednesday of instances in which Chief Brown had used obscene or abusive language, they admitted under cross examination that they had not complained about his language to other city officials. However, the same witnesses also testified that no supervisors other than the chief had raised their voices with them.
The city's administrative charges also depicted a police chief who was obsessed with a relationship between a male and a female officer.
Officer Amy Peeden, who was involved in a relationship with Officer Mark Schworer against the chief's wishes, testified that another officer told her Chief Brown had told him that "if (she and Officer Schworer) put (their) necks in the noose, to pull it."
Mr. Barth said the evidence would show that Chief Brown had publicly discouraged fraternization among officers for safety concerns, and that he had put the two officers on different shifts "for their good and the good of the department."
Former Officer Julie Walker had criticized the chief for allegedly threatening her after she claimed sexual discrimination by officers in the department.
A city investigation found no evidence to corroborate Ms. Walker's claims, but she has complaints pending with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Chief Brown has been off the job since May 11. However, he was suspended without pay June 11, when City Administrator Marc Bergman filed administrative charges against the police chief and recommended the mayor fire him.
Instead, five-year Mayor Cindy Pinto, resigned.
Five weeks ago, Mr. Bergman announced his intention to resign Sept. 1, citing personal reasons and that he had come to Fort Wright to work with Mrs. Pinto.
In Kentucky cities with a mayor-council form of government, the mayor has the sole authority to hire, fire and discipline employees. Both Mrs. Pinto and her successor had sought a hearing though, to get council's input.
The hearing will continue at 8:30 a.m. today. Ms. Walker will likely testify, Mr. Hudson said.
Once testimony concludes, Mayor Paul Hiltz said he will take a couple of days to study the evidence before deciding Chief Brown's fate.
![[chief]](/editions/1998/08/06/chief_391x300.jpg)