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Attorney Shawn Fitzpatrick, representing former Marshal's Office Deputy William Smith, speaks to Bandera City Council members Tuesday evening.
Photo by Chris Darus
December 9, 2021
Bandera City Council upholds deputy’s termination from Marshal’s Office
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
After deliberating in closed session for more than an hour, Bandera City Council members unanimously rejected former Deputy William Smith’s appeal of his termination from the Marshal’s Office.
“He is probably the most effective deputy you had on your city marshal’s force,” Smith’s attorney Shawn Fitzpatrick said during the public forum of Tuesday night’s regular meeting.
Fitzpatrick said Smith was notified Nov. 24 of his termination, for reasons he did not disclose other than he “is accused of making some comments that had nothing to do with his job.” He said the city has a progressive disciplinary policy, which he said was not implemented in Smith’s case. Every disciplinary policy has an escape clause in which an employer can terminate anyone for any reason, Fitzpatrick said, but he questioned the point of the policy if it is not utilized.
“We’re asking you to reverse the termination,” Fitzpatrick said.
Neither Smith, nor Fitzpatrick, were invited to participate in the executive session. Other than the final vote, council members did not comment further.
“He is probably the most effective deputy you had on your city marshal’s force,” Smith’s attorney Shawn Fitzpatrick said during the public forum of Tuesday night’s regular meeting.
Fitzpatrick said Smith was notified Nov. 24 of his termination, for reasons he did not disclose other than he “is accused of making some comments that had nothing to do with his job.” He said the city has a progressive disciplinary policy, which he said was not implemented in Smith’s case. Every disciplinary policy has an escape clause in which an employer can terminate anyone for any reason, Fitzpatrick said, but he questioned the point of the policy if it is not utilized.
“We’re asking you to reverse the termination,” Fitzpatrick said.
Neither Smith, nor Fitzpatrick, were invited to participate in the executive session. Other than the final vote, council members did not comment further.