Council tables officer termination issue

By Todd C. Elliott
todd.elliott@eunicetoday.com

After complaining about the resignation of two Eunice police officers, Police Chief Ronald Dies resumed his effort to have another officer fired.
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Dies again attempted to convince the council to take action on his recommendation that Officer Raymond Mott be removed from the police roster.
Instead, Alderman-at-large Jack Burson moved to “table the issue” until November’s meeting or until more information is brought before the council.
Burson alluded to a packet of information – which was submitted by Dies – that apparently contained medical and other background research on Mott that may or may not have impact his qualifications to hold his position with the department.
Dies requested that the council go into an executive session to discuss the “disciplinary matters” he had asked to have placed on the council’s agenda.
But Mott was present at the meeting and chose, as he is entitled under Louisiana law, to have the issue discussed in public.
In September, the council heard Dies and Mott on the issue of whether the officer improperly disobeyed a direct order, and no member moved to terminate Mott’s employment.
Because the council has not made a motion or a decision during either its September or October meetings on Dies’ termination recommendation, City Attorney Vernon McManus said that the chief was well within his right to bring the matter up again until the council has taken action in either accepting, amending or declining his recommendation.
Mott’s standing with the chief has gone from one extreme to the other in recent months.
In the spring, he was vigorously defended by Dies against citizen complaints. Now, the chief has complaints of his own.