Florida Firefighter Files Defamation Claim Over Psych Eval
What do you get when you uncover government wrongdoing, and have to report it to a police chief who reports to officials from the community where the alleged wrongdoing took place? In the case of Longboat Key, Florida firefighter Matt Taylor, you get sent to a psychiatrist.
The story began when Taylor began documenting what he believed was mismanagement and possible criminal behavior related to the town’s pension fund. In December, 2010, he shared his suspicions with his fire chief, but the disclosure ended badly when he was disciplined for a variety of minor matters – all of which would otherwise appear to be valid disciplinary concerns had the timing been a bit different.
He next sought to report the matter to the Attorney General and the state’s Ethics Commission, but was told he needed to first report the matter to the local police. He diligently met with police chief Al Hogle on January 21, 2011, who following the meeting sent a memo to town officials and the fire chief suggesting that Taylor needed to see a psychiatrist. The memo stated:
“I had a one and one-half hour interview with an employee this morning that has very serious mental health issues. I’m working on a detailed set of notes to explain some of the issues. As soon as I get those notes completed, I will get with the fire chief and come to see you to pursue a Fitness for Duty issue. This is not just anxiety, rather a sad state of mental reasoning deterioration.”
Before the day was over, Taylor was ordered to take a drug test and be examined by a psychiatrist. He passed both the drug test and the psych eval, and now a full state police investigation is underway into his pension allegations.
Taylor has been restored to full duty and is credited with making a water rescue earlier this month. He has filed a claim against the town for defamation, which is a preliminary step to filing a lawsuit. According to his attorney, if the claim is denied Taylor will sue both the town and Chief Hogle.
What an abuse of power and a feeble attempt to coerce silence from this guy. I would imagine this will be another Bell California debacle with all of the appointed and elected in cahoots to con the system
John – we don’t have all the facts – but even if everything was on the up and up on the local level – wouldn’t you think a police chief would see the potential conflict? And why would the state AG and state ethics commission send someone who is alleging wrongdoing by local officials back to a local law enforcement official who works for the folks that may be involved? Sounds like a bad case of “not my job” – without thinking the whole thing through.
Amen. You are correct. The issue I have here is the Police Chief recommending a psych evaluation on an employee who is probably whistle blowing. Unfortunately a psych eval in today’s employment world may be a “mark” against the credibility of the employee diminishing his claim. It appears however he wasn’t a “nut job” and the State is doing the right thing.
Agree 100%. But let’s assume the chief of police was correct – that the firefighter does need help – The chief is not in an objective position to make that call. He has loyalties to the folks that appointed him. He should not be involved in evaluating the credibility of a complainant who is accusing his boss of wrongdoing. Cognative dissonance…. we tend to discount facts that go against our beliefs and overemphasize other facts that tend to support our beliefs.