By Greg Kendall-Ball
Abilene Reporter-News
ABILENE, Texas — A Hamlin police officer plans to appeal after being fired this week after reportedly using his “electronic control weapon” on a man at a party.
Officer Josh Co’ee will appear before a grievance committee today, said Hamlin Mayor Jack Shields.
“I have not seen the final report from the police chief, but my understanding is (Co’ee) admitted to using the device on an individual at a party, but not in the line of duty,” Shields said.
“The officer is appealing the termination, and like any city employee, he has the right to ask for a grievance,” he said. Shields said Co’ee was terminated for misuse of the stun gun and for disobedience of a direct order.
The grievance committee consists of three members of the Hamlin City Council, Shields said. Both the officer and the supervisor, in this case Police Chief Ray Moseley, are allowed to call witnesses during the hearing.
With Co’ee’s termination, the Hamlin Police Department is down to two officers. Shields said one of the remaining officers is out on medical leave.
“We have the chief and one other officer right now, but we do have officers from other agencies working for us, and other departments like the sheriff’s and the (Texas Department of Public Safety) are keeping people close by our area, so we’re covered,” Shields said.
Copyright 2011 The E.W. Scripps Company