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Resident files complaint alleging Cedar Park fire leaders withheld evidence in firefighter civil‑service case
Summary
At a Cedar Park City Council meeting, a resident said she filed a complaint naming the fire chief, an assistant chief and the city attorney for withholding body‑camera and dash‑cam evidence during a 2023 civil‑service hearing; council acknowledged receipt and said it will investigate.
Karen Doscher told the Cedar Park City Council on April 10 that she had filed a complaint alleging that city leaders withheld material evidence during the civil‑service hearing of firefighter Dean Doscher.
Doscher told the council the complaint names “Cedar Park Fire Chief James Mallinger, AC Pat Flynn and city attorney JP Lecomte,” and says interview notes and video footage, including body‑cam and dash‑cam recordings, were suppressed and prevented the firefighter from mounting a full defense. She said the department offered the firefighter a 60‑day suspension and later alleged he “fired himself” after he refused what she described as coercive discipline.
Mayor and council members acknowledged receipt of the complaint. The mayor said the council had received the complaint “not filed with a court of law but with the city council,” and that the city would investigate to determine whether proper procedures were followed. He said the city council will “do everything we can to make sure that...proper procedures were followed.”
The allegation was raised during the meeting’s public‑comment period; no formal disciplinary action or criminal charges were announced during the meeting. The council did not vote on any measure related to the complaint on April 10. City staff said the council had received the complaint and would review it, but provided no timeline or details of the investigative process at the meeting.
The council did not take further action on the record at that session; members said they would follow up as the complaint process proceeds.
