Council committee defers resolution on DEC leadership while independent investigator gathers evidence
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Summary
The committee deferred a resolution asking the mayor’s office and Department of Emergency Communications to enact leadership and culture reforms after Director Dietz said an independent investigator, Luther Wright, was already conducting interviews; the committee voted unanimously to defer the item one meeting.
The Public Health & Safety Committee unanimously voted to defer for one meeting a resolution (RS2025-1655) calling for the mayor’s office and the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) to enact reforms related to departmental leadership and workplace culture.
Councilmember Evan(s) introduced the deferral after Director Dietz told the committee that Mayor’s Office officials had declined a separate request to open an additional investigation into the DEC, citing a lack of verifiable information. Dietz said the mayor had consulted him after a Nov. 5 media report and that he retained attorney Luther Wright to conduct an independent investigation; Wright is already interviewing witnesses, Dietz said.
"There is a complaint that was made public in the media on November 5, and that did result in the retention of an attorney, Luther Wright, to conduct an independent investigation," Director Dietz said. He added that Wright is working now and the office hopes to receive a report within about 30 days, barring unforeseen complications.
Councilmember Bittner asked whether a formal complaint had been filed through HR or civil service. Dietz said Metro HR had not seen a complaint but that Wright would investigate whether a complaint was filed locally with DEC’s HR representative and whether Metro responded appropriately if one was filed.
HR Director Shannon Hall told the committee that employees have multiple reporting avenues: they may contact the special investigator directly, file with departmental HR coordinators, Metro Human Resources’ employee relations division, the Tennessee Office for Civil Rights, or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Hall emphasized that Metro’s employment and civil service rules and reporting procedures are posted on the government website.
Councilmember Nash asked that investigator contact information be shared with DEC employees so staff are aware of how to submit information; Dietz said he would consult with attorney Wright about the best way to reach staff, possibly via the local HR representative at DEC.
The committee took the procedural vote on the deferral after discussion and approved it 8–0. The deferral pauses committee action on the resolution until the next scheduled meeting so members can review any additional findings from the independent investigation and consider any late-filed amendments.
