THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WALB) - Several Thomasville police officers, including the chief, have filed a lawsuit against the city.
This comes after an 11-page letter circulated among city employees that attorneys say defamed law enforcement.
According to the lawsuit, the Thomasville Police Department is demanding a jury trial and monetary and punitive damages.
The lawsuit filed in Thomas County Superior Court names Police Chief Troy Rich and several commanding officers as plaintiffs.
The defendants, including Thomasville Mayor Greg Hobbs and Council Members David Hufstetler and Terry Scott have 45 days to respond.
Attorney Robert Howell, who represents the police department, said the lawsuit is in response to an 11-page letter written by former TPD officer Waylon Parker about Chief Rich and his command staff.
"From my clients' perspective this is incredibly serious," said Howell.
Howell said the defendants offered the police chief position to a retired Thomas County deputy without having authority to do so and while Chief Rich was still on the job.
"There clearly was a concerted, secretive effort among council members to try and get Chief Rich, and members of his senior command staff fired from their jobs," said Howell.
City Attorney Tim Sanders and the mayor have yet to respond for a comment.
Scott also declined to comment.
Hufstetler said there was no effort by the department to try and resolve this matter before obtaining legal counsel.
In the lawsuit it states the plaintiffs notified Interim City Manager Kha McDonald of this in January.
But, the mayor denied knowing about this letter, hindering McDonald's investigation, according to the documents.
We will continue to update you as this case develops.
