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Council delays action on police officer probation amid allegations and requests for investigation
Summary
Council considered ending probation for officer Jared Meredith but received public concerns alleging prior misconduct. With incomplete background documentation and HR limits on disclosure, the council took no action and asked the police chief to investigate further; probation may be extended per policy.
Council reviewed a personnel item to remove Officer Jared Meredith from probation. Multiple council members and public speakers raised concerns about past incidents and allegations that they said needed investigation; some witnesses said there were facts not reflected in criminal-background checks. Chief and HR staff described procedural limits: nothing adverse appeared on the criminal-history report and HR must follow privacy rules, but the chief said he would look further into any substantiated documentation.
Councilors debated extending probation to allow full review versus immediate release from probation so the officer could begin accruing benefits. After discussion the council voted to take no action and directed the chief to pursue further investigation and for staff to follow existing HR processes; the council acknowledged the city’s policy permits extension of the probationary period when circumstances warrant.
Next steps: the police chief and HR will investigate documented allegations and report back to council; any personnel action will follow HR and CLEET procedures.
