Decatur Fire lieutenant, a Perkins supporter, demoted

Jul. 20—Mayor Tab Bowling last month demoted Decatur Fire & Rescue Lt. Kevin Jackson, a 20-year firefighter and vocal supporter of a man killed by Decatur police, for allegedly making a distasteful comment in front of civilians during an emergency; however, the civilians at the scene say they didn't hear or see anything inappropriate.

"There seems to be a disparate treatment when it comes to how Mr. Jackson is being treated and other actual egregious disciplinary situations," said Councilman Billy Jackson, who shares no relation with the firefighter. "There are no personnel rules cited that he has broken."

The personnel case against Kevin Jackson began when a complaint was filed "several weeks" after Decatur Fire & Rescue responded to a cardiac arrest call where a tree had fallen on a man on Nov. 25, according to Bowling's determination letter addressed to Jackson, dated June 21.

The victim was an employee of Cooper and Cooper Tree Service, according to owner John Cooper, who was also at the scene. As Jackson and his crew provided medical care, according to Bowling's letter, a call came in for a structure fire in Jackson's area of responsibility.

"You stated 'he is dead as f***' and 'we are out of here,'" the letter reads. "The language and attitude exhibited at the scene in front of the victim's coworkers, your coworkers and other emergency personnel and citizens is unacceptable and totally outside the expected conduct of a Lieutenant in the Decatur Fire Department."

Cooper said neither he, nor his other, uninjured employee at the scene heard those words from Jackson. He said he didn't hear anything inappropriate from Jackson or witness any inappropriate behavior. Cooper and his employees were the only civilians at the scene.

"We were just trying to help each other stay calm," Cooper said of his other employee. "I know he didn't hear anything."

Bowling's letter says multiple emergency units were at the scene and the victim "made it to the hospital alive and in fact lived for many hours or possibly days before actually dying."

The complaint that came weeks later was through a "compliance hotline," according to the letter. It triggered an investigation into Jackson, and he was reassigned to administrative duties.

"There should be absolutely no attempt on your part or on your behalf to find out who was interviewed in the investigation, who made statements, who raised concerns or who spoke when and about what," the letter reads.

Bowling said in the letter that the November incident is symptomatic of "behaviors/attitudes that must change," before describing other alleged "emotional outbursts."

The accusations include Jackson allegedly calling a colleague an "idiot," being upset about pay and kicking a door, yelling at a dispatcher, "multiple occurrences" of making "negative statements," and being overzealous in responding to calls.

The letter also takes issue with Jackson's attitude and demeanor "in general." He's accused of having a "slouchy, disinterested demeanor," not paying attention during training or disparaging training that he didn't find useful.

Nearly a whole page is dedicated to Jackson's alleged social media activity, including:

—"You have been known to pride yourself in bullying others with your social media presence."

—"You have consistently undermined City leadership using social media when you do not agree with decisions being made."

—"Your veiled and even overt criticisms of the City, Fire Department, and City Leadership reflects poorly on you."

Kevin Jackson made a Facebook post on Oct. 10 describing the last conversation he had with Steve Perkins, who was shot and killed by a Decatur police officer on Sept. 29. On Jan. 20, Jackson posted again about Perkins and said he missed working out with him at the gym. On March 27, Jackson shared an image defining the term "ambush." Some Decatur residents have described the actions of police on Sept. 29 as akin to an ambush.

Jackson has also been critical of the city on social media over pay. For example, in August 2022 he wrote that surrounding cities pay their employees more than Decatur. "We will continue to lose good veteran firefighters if this issue (is) not rectified," he wrote.

In December 2022, Jackson wrote on Facebook: "131 calls were run in the last 4 days. There were 50 on Christmas Eve alone ... yet for the third time in two years the men are told they don't deserve a pay increase just to be on equal footing with their peers around them."

During the investigation into Jackson, allegations were made "involving after hours female visitors at the fire station," according to Bowling's letter. Jackson requested time off after he was placed on administrative duties and is accused of "complaining" and "blaming others" — apparently in violation of his performance improvement plan (PIP).

"Because you did not abide by the provisions of the PIP, it was determined that you would be put on Administrative Leave with pay and that the matter would be referred to my office without the additional investigation being completed," Bowling wrote.

At the end of Bowling's nine-page letter, he outlines Jackson's punishment: a demotion to the bottom rank of Firefighter (a pay cut worth thousands of dollars), suspension of promotion eligibility for a year, and monthly progress reports.

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Comparison

The Decatur Daily filed a public records request and obtained personnel records for three other firefighters disciplined during Bowling's tenure.

On June 4, a citizen complained to Deputy Chief Ashley England that a lieutenant at the scene of a fire smelled like liquor and was "acting drunk," according to a performance report. The lieutenant was screened and tested positive for alcohol. His only apparent punishment was a written warning and instructions to submit to random drug screenings. It does not appear from the personnel records that the case was escalated to the mayor.

The same lieutenant failed to complete mandatory training activities and failed to "lead his subordinates in assigned training" for the month of October 2022, according to a performance report. His disciplinary action was a "discussion" with a supervisor.

That same month, another firefighter and his direct supervisor, a lieutenant, received determination letters from Bowling. The pair were accused of refusing to comply with mandatory overtime guidelines.

"The City expects its employees to be truthful," Bowling cautioned the lieutenant. "The City expects its employees and especially its supervisors NOT to falsify documents."

The lieutenant was suspended without pay for one shift and placed on probation for sixth months, while his subordinate was suspended without pay for two shifts and placed on probation for sixth months. Bowling pointed to violations of several Decatur Fire policies and Merit System Rules in explaining the punishment; the letter to Jackson, in contrast, contains no such specifics.

Decatur police are also city employees. One of the police officers at the scene of Perkins' killing, where police were found to have violated policy, was suspended without pay for 10 days. Three others were terminated.

Former Decatur police Lt. Joe Renshaw was captured on video handcuffing Perkins' widow during a peaceful 3rd Friday demonstration on April 19. Renshaw also placed a Taser against the chest of a restrained man.

In May, Renshaw admitted under oath to using a Facebook profile named "Phil McGroin" to discuss privileged information about Perkins' killing online. Several Decatur residents and Perkins supporters have also accused "McGroin" of online harassment.

Renshaw retired on July 1 without facing disciplinary action. It's unclear if an investigation was opened on Renshaw amid numerous citizen complaints, and the city rejected The Daily's public records request seeking documentation of any such investigation.

In late March, a woman protesting Perkins' killing near the mayor's home claimed she was punched in the face without cause by Officer Jack Brown. The woman claimed Brown gloated about it as he booked her into jail, and the Morgan County Sheriff's Office confirmed that their security video/audio system captured the gloating. Brown later joked about the alleged assault on Facebook.

The city was mum on the incident until police Chief Todd Pinion told The Daily on July 2 that Brown was "on temporary administrative duties until everything is complete."

Bowling, in his letter to Kevin Jackson, wrote, "It is difficult to remember a time that I have been as disappointed and disturbed by the actions of a person in an important leadership position." — Hotline

The complaint against Kevin Jackson that came weeks after the Nov. 25 incident likely came from a colleague.

"An ethics and compliance hotline," explained Human Resources Director Richelle Sandlin, "is an anonymous reporting mechanism implemented by employers for their employees and managed by a third party, that facilitates reporting of possible illegal, unethical, or improper conduct when the normal channels of communication have proven ineffective, or are impractical under the circumstances."

Councilman Jackson suggested there may be a personal vendetta against Kevin Jackson within Decatur Fire & Rescue.

"It leads me to believe that someone in Fire and Rescue administration had or has an axe to grind with this employee and chose this process to grind that axe," he said.

Kevin Jackson's recent performance evaluations from Battalion Chief Brandon Strickland, his supervisor, praise his leadership ability.

"Lt. Jackson reports to work early, doesn't abuse his sick leave, and loves being a firefighter," Jackson's annual evaluation, dated February 2024, reads. "Occasionally his passion spills over and he can be abrasive. However, I've seen improvements through the last year in his attitude and outlook and feel confident that will continue."

In 2023, Jackson's supervisor wrote that he believes Jackson will be "a fantastic battalion chief," should he pursue that path.

In 2022, Jackson received a commendation for "outstanding performance — above and beyond." His supervisor wrote: "Lt. Jackson is who I have chosen to fill in Battalion 1 when I'm off. He has a great command presence and is excellent with tactical decision making."

Kevin Jackson has hired a lawyer and appealed Bowling's decision. The public appeal hearing will take place before the Personnel Board on Aug. 16 at 9 a.m.

Billy Jackson criticized the composition of Bowling's letter Friday.

"The letter is the most poorly constructed, rambling document that I may have read since being elected," he said.

Decatur Fire Chief Tracy Thornton did not respond to requests for comment, and Kevin Jackson declined to speak so as not to jeopardize his appeal.

Bowling, when asked for comment, said simply: "It's a personnel issue."

— david.gambino@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2438.