Fired officer appeals

By CINDY SIMPSON

rccindysimpson@bellsouth.net

A former Harriman patrolman has asked for a hearing to contest his dismissal.

Harriman Mayor Chris Mason recently told the police board they need to schedule a hearing to discuss former Patrolman Daniel Lantz.

“We’ve been notified by Patrolman Lantz he’d like to appeal his termination,” Mason said.

Harriman Police Chief Randy Heidle said that Lantz was dismissed on Dec. 26, 2007.

Heidle would not comment before the hearing, but the former patrolman has a number of reprimands in his file, including some from when Roane County Sheriff Jack Stockton was Harriman police chief.

Lantz was suspended on more than one occasion by both chiefs, according to documents in his personnel file.

The reprimands range from failure to record a traffic stop on his vehicle video camera or log sheet to failure to respond to other patrolmen by police radio.

In one incident, a resident complained he was stopped and illegally searched.

Heidle wrote in the reprimand that he not only failed to find this incident documented in the patrolman’s log or camera, but other stops were not documented, either.

The chief stressed that all stops are to be documented on camera and on the officer’s log sheet.

The final incident that led to Lantz’s dismissal, according to officials, was an issue of disobeying a supervisor’s instruction, according to the letter recommending he be dismissed.

On Dec. 22, 2007, Lantz attempted to use a “slim jim” to get a baby out of a locked car, something the department prohibits except in cases of emergency.

The letter said that Lantz disobeyed his supervisor and asked 911 to contact Heidle, then contacted K&K Lock smiths after the supervisor stopped dispatch from contacting the chief.

Lantz was told to go to the station and clock out until further notice, but ignored that order, the letter states.

Instead, Lantz continued to patrol until his supervisor ordered him over the radio to return to the station.

City officials have sent Lantz a letter notifying him of his hearing opportunity on Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m.

City attorney Harold Balcom said that would give the former patrolman’s attorney time to prepare.

Lantz had been employed at the department since July 2005.

He had been out for illness from August to November of last fall.