Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Monroe Police Department Executive Officer Reggie Brown has won his legal challenge to take the upcoming Monroe Chief of Police exam next month. Brown’s challenge was held at the Safety Center on MLK Boulevard Tuesday afternoon. There was a discussion prior to the event, as members of the Monroe Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board and attorneys for Brown, got into a discussion as to whether the Board was having a hearing, or something else. That was because there appeared to be a misunderstanding, if the meeting was in fact, a hearing, noted by lead attorney Jessica Williams that was contradicted by the Board, saying that it was a “special call” meeting. Williams wanted to know if it was a hearing as Brown was lead to believe, although no notices were sent. However, Board members reiterated, saying it was not a court challenge, that it was a special call meeting. After a few more exchanges, Officer Brown explained his reasons to halt the police chief exam, stating that he has “met all of the qualifications” as outlined by the exam’s guidelines in all operations for the position of chief. As Brown was telling Board members about his qualifications, the question of his time with Metro Narcotic Unit was asked; which brought a strong rebuke from Brown and Williams. “That has nothing to do with us”, said Brown with some anger in his voice. The Board said that it had “the right” to ask questions that were brought to their attention by “others”, not referring to fellow Board members. However, Brown made brief comments about his stint with Metro, while admonishing the Board that it had nothing to do with his application. Williams also mentioned that none of the other applicants were asked questions about any “controversies” while on the job.

There may have been other questions about Brown’s time with Metro, but his attorneys would not allow any more, as they stated that Brown was there to talk about why he was rejected from taking the exam. Brown talked at lengths about his experiences as a police officer, noting that he has degrees, and has worked in many capacities within the police department. He also mentioned that he was “almost killed twice” as an officer, but he didn’t mention that as part of his overall life experiences when filling out the application. He said that he “worked closely” with police chiefs who have the power to delegate whom they wanted to appoint to a position.

Attorney Williams spent extensive time questioning the qualifications of other applicants, whose qualifications also raised serious questions. Williams listed several applicants that “had neither the required time/experience nor the needed degrees for which the guidelines called. Brown said that his qualifications “could be verified”. Some questions asked by the Board “on behalf of others” appears to have come from who may have been fellow officers, as evidenced by the Metro inquiry. One officer that had worked in a supervisory position offered by Brown was according to Brown, “questioning his qualifications, which was very hurtful”. On a motion that was seconded, the Board voted unanimously allowing Brown to take the exam. The exam is scheduled November16 as at the Public Safety Center from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.