Piedmont Police Chief Officially Placed On Paid Administrative Leave Amid Misconduct Allegations

The Piedmont City Council held a special called council meeting on Monday afternoon. The meeting began and then went into Executive Session to discuss a topic regarding personnel matters along with the City Attorney.

After approximately 45 minutes, the council returned with Mayor Bill Baker making the following  statement:

 

The agenda did not include a line item for visitors comment and the meeting adjourned.

Just last week Police Chief Freddie Norton announced via a social media post that he had chosen to retire amidst allegations of misconduct by several officers within the department. Norton said Tuesday morning (6/15/2021) he was called to the city administration office and was told he had two options regarding his position: retire or be voted out of office.

When Norton asked why, he said he was told council members had received six complaint letters from police department employees.

Norton said he was not shown those letters.

Norton said the complaints included him being mean to employees, some officers did not have tasers, newly-ordered police cars by the city were not on the road, officers were not allowed to go into houses to make drug arrests, and the department did not have a K-9.

“I had no clue, warnings, or anyone even try to talk to me about it from the mayor or council,” Norton said.

Norton said he would have accepted a statement from the council choosing to go in a different direction, but “that isn’t what we got.”

Following the meeting we were able to speak to Councilman Jubal Feazell:

 

We will continue following this story and provide updates as more is available. 

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