A tumultuous series of events culminated in the firing of Memphis’ police chief Monday night, though it would appear the situation is far from settled.
By a 4-3 vote at a special council meeting, officials terminated Chief Jessica Beels Koveck’s employment with the city.
Koveck, 29, arrived at the meeting with her attorney, who then requested a closed session to discuss the personnel matter. Nearly two dozen people filled the council chambers then stepped outside to await the conclusion of the session.
Forty minutes later, a visibly upset Koveck exited the meeting and headed across the street to the police department as someone in the crowd yelled ‘we love you Jess.’
Officials then re-opened the meeting to the public.
Councilman William Zukas read a motion into the record seeking to terminate the chief’s employment that was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Larry Wilson.
Zukas, Wilson, Councilwoman Roberta Zukas and Mayor Daniel Weaver voted in favor of the termination while Councilman Frank Davis, Jason Parker and Scott Stoops opposed it.
The questionable circumstance surrounding a two-car accident Koveck was involved in, and found at fault for, on June 23 prompted city council to take action. She was driving a city police car that went through a stop sign on a gravel road, striking a FedEx delivery truck.
The city is also now facing a civil lawsuit filed by attorney Geoffrey Fieger on behalf of the FedEx truck driver.
As the meeting was adjourned and the crowd dispersed, Councilwoman Roberta Zukas stated she was disappointed the vote wasn’t unanimous. She added the car accident involving Koveck wasn’t the lone issue but instead it opened up official’s eyes to ‘other things that have been going on.’
Weaver echoed those sentiments, agreeing the accident was an accident and not the final reason council voted to terminate the chief.
Koveck could not be reached for comment following the meeting.
Davis said he saw nothing that would merit a dismissal.
‘There just isn’t anything glaringly wrong here, a lot of this stuff is getting way, way out of hand and people are trying to dig up stuff that’s not there,’ Davis said prior to the meeting. He later added that the closed door session didn’t change his mind.
Stoops agreed and stated that of the ‘actual facts and the paperwork I know of right now, I still support the police chief.’
In the meantime, Weaver said by charter the city must have a police chief in place, so the Police Committee will take that up next.
Koveck worked for the Memphis Police Department as an officer for three years before she was promoted to chief in July 2011. At that time, she was the youngest police chief in the state of Michigan.
Strong allegations in civil suit
The civil lawsuit filed by attorney Geoffrey Fieger on behalf of the FedEx truck driver, Sean Wood, 31, is a 10-page complaint that outlines the plaintiff’s injuries and puts forth some strong accusations against Koveck.
Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, driving in a careless and/or negligent manner and failure to remain at the scene of the accident are among the items listed in the complaint.
Attorney Christian P. Collis, with Fieger, Fieger, Kenney, Giroux and Harrington, P.C. in Southfield is handling the case that was filed in Macomb County Circuit Court July 15.
In a phone interview, Collis stated his firm has already conducted some interviews and had a witness state the police vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and that there was no attempt to even stop or use the brakes.
‘This goes against what she said at the scene,’ Collis said.
Investigators from the firm also spoke with a witness who stated they thought Koveck smelled of alcohol and that Koveck left the scene in a state trooper’s car not long after the accident.
‘She didn’t seek medical attention and wasn’t under arrest but still left the scene pretty quickly,’ Collis said.
As for his client, Collis said Wood has not been able to return to work. He suffered a concussion, knee and back injuries in addition other physical injuries.
‘He is currently still in treatment, still taking physical therapy,’ Collis said
While it is a standard FedEx policy to suspend anyone involved in an accident in one of their vehicles, whether they are at fault or not, Collis said Wood has not lost his job. He is an independent contractor with FedEx and had his own routes in the area. FedEx has hired another employee to continue the route, according to Collis.
