MERIDIAN, Mississippi —
Meridian Police Chief James Lee has been suspended, without pay, for five days
over an incident that was reported Dec. 31, 2013, at a leadership meeting.
An officer alleged Lee cursed
and threatened officers. The city's equal opportunity officer found Lee had
created a hostile workplace.
Mayor Percy Bland announced the
suspension Monday.
Bland says the supervisory
staff for the police department will take training on professionalism,
communication and appropriate workplace behavior.
Bland said last week an
investigation had been launched into an allegation by a police officer that Lee
threatened his job and humiliated him in front of officers in a staff meeting.
Bland says he only suspended
Lee because he says there was enough blame to go around in this particular
incident.
John Geer