PENDLETON — A hearing set for Saturday, during which the Pendleton Police Chief was expected to appeal the town’s decision to fire him, will not take place after all.
“It’s been continued,” Pendleton Town Council President Jessica Smith said Thursday afternoon.
“In light of new information that we’ve received over the past couple of weeks, we thought it was important to discuss amending the charges,” she said.
The town council voted 3-2 on Jan. 24 to fire chief Marc Farrer because of Facebook posts it determined “reflect and promote biases held by you that compromise your ability to carry out your duties … in a fair, impartial and nondiscriminatory manner.”
Images of the posts were included in a document prepared by the council, in its capacity as the town’s safety board, and signed Jan. 24.
One post was of a meme showing a man labeled “liberals” who is watering a sapling tree labeled “Islam.” A noose is around the man’s neck, and the other end of the rope is tied to the sapling.
Another post shows a picture of President Donald Trump with long blond hair with words printed across it: “The left has informed me that I can pick my gender. So today, I feel like being the first woman president. Sorry Hillary.”
Another meme, showing two anonymous police officers laughing, has printed on it: “Nike called and said they are being looted by blacklivesmatter. And I said, call the NFL for help.”
The council document, titled “Notice of charges, proposed discipline, and right to a hearing,” was addressed to Farrer.
It states “your conduct constitutes a ‘violation of rules,’ ‘conduct unbecoming an officer,’ ‘neglect of duty’ and ‘conduct injurious to the public peace or welfare.’”
The council is set to meet in executive session at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, when it will discuss the new details and decide how to respond.
It will also set a new date for the appeals hearing.
Smith declined to elaborate on the new information at this time, as did town attorney Alex Intermill.
“If the council finds that the additional information we have uncovered since issuing the original notice warrants amending the current charges, adding additional charges, or both, the council will issue the amended notice in a public meeting – perhaps the regular council meeting next Thursday (Feb. 14),” Intermill wrote in an email today.
Smith said the police chief issue is among several items on the agenda for today’s regular meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. She said no public comment will be allowed on the police chief issue.
“Police disciplinary matters are governed by state law and require the council to provide Marshal Farrer with notice and due process, which is what the council has done and will do,” Smith wrote in an email to The Times-Post. “Legal counsel has advised that allowing public comment at this time could compromise the integrity of the process.”
There will be public comment allowed on all other issues, though. People must sign in by the start of the meeting with their name and topic, and then they will be called individually, Smith said.
The public meeting room was overflowing during the Jan. 24 meeting, and several supporters of Farrer in the crowd expressed anger at not being able to speak.
Farrer remains on paid administrative leave pending the appeals process.
A call to Farrer seeking comment was not immediately returned.
Check back for updates.
