By Pat Culverhouse

Two Minden police officers will soon be coming before the Minden Fire and Police Civil Service Board for public hearings to appeal their August terminations.

Chris Hammontree’s appeal will be heard by the board Thursday, Oct. 9.

Hammontree, a Lieutenant with 16 years on the force, was terminated in August by the Minden City Council reportedly for violation of a police department’s policy covering the dispatch of tow trucks.

He is appealing the decision which came on the recommendation of Chief of Police Jared McIver.

Jason Smith’s hearing had been scheduled for Oct. 16, but has been postponed and a new date has not been set. Aaron Green, counsel for the city council, reportedly was unavailable for the original date.

Smith, who also reached the rank of Lieutenant, was a seven-year veteran of the MPD and head of the department’s Criminal Investigative Division at the time his termination.

His hearing reportedly will focus on two complaints. One will be to appeal his August termination by the city council, which also acted on the recommendation of Chief McIver.

In the second complaint, Smith requests that civil service board members  initiate an investigation into what he alleges are false statements made by three current Minden police officers in reports filed regarding a June meeting at police headquarters.

Hearings are scheduled to begin at noon in the Minden City Council chambers/court room at city hall.