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• Jan 18, 2008 7:20 pm US/Central
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  Southlake Officer Fired After Department Complaint

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Southlake Officer Fired After Department Complaint

Reporting
Chris Salcedo

TXA 21 and media partner The Southlake Journal were the first to bring to light anonymous allegations from insiders at the Southlake Police Department of poor management, low morale, and possible illegal activity from higher-ups.

One high-ranking Southlake Police Department officer was vocal about his complaints and many believe that's the reason he was dismissed.

On January 9th Lieutenant Mike Kenny, a 10-year veteran, was fired.

Back on October 5th Kenny filed a 'hostile work environment' complaint against police Southlake Chief Wade Goolsby.

Lance Wyatt, Kenny's attorney, said, "The chief came to Lt. Kenny and basically, for lack of a better term, hold him, 'I think there's a leak in your division, and if it doesn't stop, there will be...' and basically left it at that."

Kenney viewed the statement from Goolsby as threatening and, per Southlake's work place conduct policy, filed the complaint.

"It's mandatory that they report that to HR," said Wyatt. "Mike didn't."

According to Wyatt, after the lieutenant filed the complaint it put him on Chief Goolsby's 'radar.'

TXA 21 News asked Wyatt if he thought the firing was retaliation. "I think so," he said. "I think that Mike clearly made complaints against the chief and his conduct with, what I believe, would have been criminal in nature. And they circled the wagons and terminated Mike's employment.

TXA 21 News contacted the City of Southlake for their side of the story and was turned down for an on-camera interview. Assistant City Manager Jim Blagg issued a statement that said in part –

"It is the city of Southlake's policy not to comment on personnel matters. However, I will say I am disappointed that recent events within the city's DPS Department have reached this point."

Reporters with The Southlake Journal have talked with officers in the Southlake Police Department who are afraid to come forward, but say the firing was unjust.

"They're concerned that if that can happen to Mike Kenny, they can take me out also," Wyatt said.

The grand jury investigation into the allegations leveled against the Southlake Police Department is ongoing.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)