By Bonnie Culverhouse

A second Minden police officer in less than a month was terminated by council vote Monday in special session.

“I believe the council made the correct decision based on the totality of the circumstances and evidence they reviewed,” Chief Jared McIver said, following the session during which the members unanimously voted to terminate Lt. Jason Smith.

The council’s decision followed McIver’s request for Smith’s termination, due to “conduct that occurred on or about June 23, 2025.”

Despite the urging of Smith’s attorney Pamela Breedlove, Smith’s request to have an open meeting was denied by the council on the recommendation of Attorney for the City Aaron Green and the situation was addressed for more than an hour in executive session before the council returned to vote.

Green said the City is unable to comment on an ongoing proceeding “… other than to say that the City complied with Mr. Smith’s rights and applicable law in all respects and will see this matter to conclusion if Mr. Smith chooses to appeal the Council’s decision.”

Despite the council’s decision to terminate his employment, Smith says he will continue to fight, and take the issue “all the way to the attorney general’s office.”

“It is what it is,” Smith continued, claiming his termination stems from being a civil service board member and president of the Minden Police Association.

“For those reasons, I’m not supposed to know about the ‘secret’ $25,000 pay-off and $2,000 payoff to that woman. And the fact that I knew about it is why I’m here now,” he said.

Smith referred to an incident that may have led to the termination of Lt. Christopher Hammontree by the council during a regular council meeting on August 5, 2025.

In that incident, Shawanda Hall and Donald Benard were written a check on June 13 for $25,000, drafted on the city’s general fund account, as well as $1,912.57 to resolve claims “which may exist between the parties and appropriating the sum to satisfy said agreement.”