After more than two and a half hours in Executive Session Monday night following a special-called meeting of the City Council, four Grenada Police Department officers emerged from City Hall knowing exactly what they knew when they entered: Nothing.
Six items were up for discussion in Executive Session following the 30-minute public meeting. The police officers – varying in rank – were there to file grievances against the department and Chief George Douglas concerning the handling of policies. They were called in individually to speak to the Council and City Attorney Mary Brown.
Two of the officers – the first and last – spoke at length regarding their concerns with the department even though Chief Douglas was allowed to remain in Executive Session despite the requests from the officers that he be excused. The two other officers refused to speak “without legal counsel” after their requests for Chief Douglas to be excused were also denied.
The Council immediately voted to adjourn once out of Executive Session. Shortly thereafter, Brown was observed in the back of the boardroom speaking with two of the officers that filed grievances.
“So you are refusing to do that, too?” one of the officers shouted after the brief conversation.
“Yes,” Brown responded as she walked away to exit City Hall.
Brown also refused to provide The Star with any details from Executive Session despite some officials announcing that decisions were voted on behind closed doors, unfavorable for the officers.
The Star is looking into these issues and will report its findings in next week’s edition.
