By Pat Culverhouse
Former Minden police Lt. Christopher Hammontree, whose termination from the department was upheld following appeal, has filed suit against the City of Minden and the Minden Fire and Police Civil Service Board.
Attorney Pamela Breedlove, representing Hammontree, filed the suit with the parish Clerk of Court just before noon Wednesday, Oct. 22. The suit will be heard in 26th Judicial District Court.
Hammontree’s August termination by the Minden City Council for violation of a department policy involving tow trucks was upheld by the civil service board during a lengthy hearing Oct. 9.
In the lawsuit, Breedlove claims:
• MPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau never interviewed Hammontree.
• Hammontree was allegedly given three notices: one of a pre-termination hearing, a notice of investigation pending pre-termination hearing and a notice of placement on administrative leave. His lawsuit claims all three were given prior to an Internal Affairs report being written and prior to a complaint being filed.
• Alleges Chief Jared McIver “…clearly decided to terminate Lt. Hammontree prior to the investigation being complete.”
• City of Minden employee manual states discipline of employees is progressive and classifies offenses as Class 1, 2 and 3 with discipline ranges for each. Nothing in the Chief’s recommendation of termination classified alleged offenses by Hammontree.
• On Oct. 9, Civil Service Board arbitrarily and capriciously and without cause affirmed the termination of Lt. Hammontree. Board arbitrarily and capriciously failed to hold entire hearing in public and went into executive over objection of Hammontree. Also, the board allegedly received hearsay documents into evidence.
• Termination was excessive and disproportionate to alleged violations..
In the lawsuit, Hammontree asks that he be reinstated with back pay, including back benefits, retirement system contributions, reinstatement to medical benefits, reinstatement of sick leave and all other benefits lost due to improper termination.
He is also asking for all general and equitable relief to which he may be entitled under the circumstances.