Police Chief Back On Active Duty As Department Audits Move Forward

Hesitant claps were offered among a crowd of about seventy citizens when Fairfield Council voted to remove an agenda item that would have ended the employment of Police Chief Kenny Bulger.

While the action appeared to favor Chief Bulger, who had been suspended with pay for the previous 46 days, several items concerning the police department remained to be addressed, as Council went back into closed Executive Session for a second time.

It was not until the meeting was near its close, and citizens had been allowed to speak in support of the Chief, that the Council’s actions were made clear.

“Chief Bulger will return to work tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.,” explained Mayor Kenneth Hughes.

A resounding applause filled the room as individual council members concluded the meeting with statements of appreciation for Chief Bulger and members of the Fairfield Police Department.

During their Regularly Scheduled Meeting on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, the Fairfield Council approved several measures concerning the police department and its police chief.

First, approval was secured to conduct an operational performance audit and an internal affairs audit for the police department.

Mayor Hughes explained to Freestone County Times that the audit team will do two things:  1) identify needed equipment and training, and 2) report on the general “health” of the police department.

“We are in new times.  We have to evolve,” said Hughes.  “What worked ten years ago, doesn’t work today.”

“It’s going to take change in order to improve our City,” continued Mayor Hughes.  “Hopefully, through this new audit, we are going to learn how to make those adjustments.”

Conducting the audit will be Contract Service Innovations, LLC (d/b/a CSI Compliance).  The company is working in partnership with Lion Leadership, who made a presentation to Council members during the July 3, 2018 meeting.

Once the service agreement is signed by Mayor Hughes, the audit is expected to take about a month to complete.

Cost is estimated at just over $28,000 to complete the police department audit.

The second item approved concerning the Fairfield Police Department was a Moratorium on actions regarding personnel until the audit has been completed and recommendations given to the Council.

“This prohibits any type of investigation or disciplinary action,” concerning members of the police department, explains Mayor Hughes.

The “Times” inquired about the complaint lodged against Chief Bulger, which led to his 46-day suspension.

“It was a hostile work environment complaint,” explained Mayor Hughes, who conducted the investigation with the assistance of the City Attorney.

According to Mayor Hughes, the complaint was ultimately found to be unsustained; meaning that it did not meet the legal criteria of a hostile work environment.

Mayor Hughes also confirmed that a settlement agreement, that would have ended employment with the City of Fairfield, was offered to Chief Bulger, and subsequently declined.

Following the action of the Council, the police chief was officially welcomed back to active duty.

Click here for video footage on Youtube.

“It’s settled as far as Council is concerned,” stated Mayor Hughes to the citizens attending last week’s meeting.

“I as mayor, and we as council, are going to stand behind you, and what your officers need,” Hughes concluded.  “I would like to applaud our officers for all that they do.”

Also of note during this meeting, merely 15 minutes into the first closed Executive Session, Councilman James Tyus returned – alone – to Council Chambers.

At that time, Council members were consulting with the City Attorney regarding possible employment actions concerning Police Chief Bulger.

At least 40 minutes passed before the other Council members returned to Open Session.

Subsequently, Councilman Tyus abstained from voting on four remaining agenda items:

–Audit of the Police Department,

–Moratorium on actions regarding Police Department Personnel, pending Audit completion,

–Formal Resolution for Finance Contract for new Water Meter System (a project that was previously approved by unanimous vote on June 26, 2018), and

–Evaluation of current City Attorney and possible action to seek new representation (which was ultimately taken off the table, by a majority vote).

When asked to comment, Councilman Tyus stated, “I was accused of having a poor judgment of someone’s character.”

For additional information on this meeting, click here.