Police Officers Demoted in Reorganization File Claims
South Pasadena police officers, who were demoted last year as part of a department reorganization after a series of scandals, have filed claims against the city.
The city clerk’s office rejected the claims for $25,000 each from Sgts. Joseph Payne and Doug Brown, officers Gabriel Thierry, Robert Bartl and DeAnn Wheeless and former Lt. Joyce Ezzell.
In August, the sergeants were demoted from the rank of lieutenant and officers were demoted from sergeants as part of a move to save $350,000 and put more officers on the street, city officials said.
“There was nothing punitive about these demotions,” said Police Chief Mike Berkow. He said the officers will have an opportunity to challenge the decisions at an administrative hearing next month.
The demotions were made after a report by a private investigation agency labeled the department top-heavy with too many supervisors.
That report came after an officer was fired for having sex on-duty and another officer pleaded no contest in a hit-and-run accident.
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