The Auburn Police Department appears to be "headed in the right direction" under Police Chief Fred Brown, says an independent law firm.

The City of Auburn asked the law firm of Carothers & Mitchell, LLC to conduct an investigation into the police department in December after receiving complaints from several employees who had been terminated or suspended or who resigned. The firm was asked to determine the causes of any morale crisis that may exist, confirm or refute allegations of favoritism, unfair termination or suspension and evaluate the assertion by some employees that a faction or clique exists within the department.

The firm submitted a final report to the city that includes recommendations for the department.

Auburn Mayor Harold Money said the city is currently going over the details of the report.

"There's nothing more powerful than the truth and it will put an end to the rumors and speculations that have been going on for years about some of the items in the report," said Brown.

During the investigation, the firm interviewed 11 department employees under oath. The firm also reviewed Internal Affairs files of employees who were terminated and suspended, personnel files of current and former employees, the City of Auburn Police Operations Manual and the City of Auburn Personnel Manual.

Carothers & Mitchell found that the termination of Sgt. Fred Phillips' employment in May of 2006 followed established procedures and was warranted. The firm also addressed the suspensions of Sgt. Danny Crawford in November for allegedly making a threat of physical violence to another employee and Robin Cheek, who is with the department's support services, for violations of the department's Code of Conduct. Both suspensions were deemed warranted. Cheek is still employed by the department. Brown said he accepted Crawford's resignation effective Tuesday.

The firm also addressed numerous allegations made against Auburn Police Captain Claire Manley that she has encouraged employees to file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), was involved in a domestic dispute that was not properly reported to or investigated by the Auburn Police Department and that she distributed answers to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) test to officers. Carothers & Mitchell determined that the preponderance of evidence did not support the allegations regarding the EEOC claims and the distributions of answers to the NIMS test. The firm also concluded there was no wrongdoing on the department's behalf in regard to the incident of domestic violence.

In reference to the assertions made by some employees that a clique or faction exists within the department, Carothers & Mitchell's report stated, "The investigators feel that the evidence of any oppressive clique running the Auburn PD is largely unsubstantiated. The critics of the current police department seem to all have been employees who were dissatisfied with not getting promotions or jobs they wanted or who harbored resentment and jealousy toward other employees... The morale crisis appears largely generated by the very disgruntled employees who claim there is a morale crisis."

The firm also stressed the chain of command is essential in a small town police department. "The disgruntled employees have often broken their chain of command to seek help from city officials rather than voicing their complaints within the Auburn PD to their supervisors," the report reads. "Much of the morale problem that currently exists in the Auburn PD is based upon a perception of favoritism that is factually not well founded. The morale issues have been created by disgruntled employees discussing the problems outside the department and outside the chain of command." The firm stated its primary recommendation is that the City of Auburn and the police department reaffirm the importance of the chain of command and issue a directive that it be strictly followed in all situations except those that concern an officer's immediate supervisor. In those circumstances a bypass procedure should allow the officer to go to the chief or the city attorney. "If officers insist on addressing the Mayor and Council, either individually or in a meeting, we strongly recommend that the elected officials decline comment and refer the matter to the Chief of Police."

The firm also recommends the city request the Carl Vinson Institute on Government or a similar organization evaluate the police department and create a training program to address teamwork and unity within the department.

Carothers & Mitchell also noted punitive action against Chief Brown, Capt. Manley and other supervising officers was not warranted.

"Once again, the Auburn PD appears to be making improvements and should be left on its current course," the report said.

Auburn City Council member Dorissa Shackelford said she was appalled when the mayor suggested an investigation into the police department. "First, the cost seemed exorbitant to me. Second, and more important, I was sure that I knew what the result of the report was going to be. Nobody likes to be terminated, reprimanded, or passed over for a promotion. It is unfortunate that there seems to be a contingency of previous malcontents that fan the fire of current police department employees and constantly cause consternation within the force. Now, all that has been accomplished is the public embarrassment of the complaining employees with information that could have and should have stayed private."

Shackelford said she thinks the recommendations made by the firm are reasonable, "and in fact, I am sure that some are already under way."

Originally published Wednesday, April 18, 2007