The Columbus City Council has offered Police Chief Joseph St. John 20 days” pay in exchange for his retirement before its meeting tonight, according to St. John”s attorney, David Owen.
City Attorney Jeff Turnage tendered the offer to St. John via Owen this morning, Owen said.
“The council has sent the grim reaper to my door,” said Owen, who added that he wouldn”t even “dignify the offer with a response.”
Turnage did not immediately return calls seeking comment, but Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin confirmed that a deal had been discussed among councilmen.
“I think it would be in St. John”s best interest to resign,” Gavin added.
The council, which meets at 5 p.m. today in the Municipal Complex, is expected to close its session after the regular meeting to discuss disciplining or even firing St. John for allegedly letting alcohol affect his job performance.
St. John, who has had issues with alcoholism in the past and has recently sought help and counseling again, was suspended July 5 after he called in sick last minute to a June 17 Civil Service Commission hearing, where he was scheduled to testify against two officers who were appealing their own suspensions.
According to several sources with information about the issue, St. John was ordered the evening of June 17 to take an alcohol test at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, and tested positive.
Owen said St. John had then “bared his soul” in a 31-minute recorded meeting with Mayor Robert Smith and others, in which he confessed to a “single-shot transgression” and apologized.
But that confession, along with the alcohol test, could be grounds for firing St. John, Gavin said.
“What they do in their home, off duty, is their business,” Gavin said of city employees. “But if it interferes with their work the next day, that”s where the line is drawn.”
Gavin went on to say that he was keeping an open mind until after hearing St. John”s defense.
The city has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol use that affects job performance, although the council will be “fair” to St. John tonight, Smith said.
“I”m sure the council will do what it always does (at the meeting tonight),” he added, “look at the facts and make a wise decision.”
Owen said the council had only to review St. John”s job performance and how the police department was functioning without him to determine whether it was wise to fire him.
There have been two murders since St. John was suspended, and the chief has been called by Assistant Chief Joe Johnson both times, Owen said. Police sources have also said his suspension has thrown the department into chaos.
Another factor councilmen will consider is St. John”s enthusiastic support base, which has started Facebook pages, circulated a petition on his behalf and has put up signs and bumper stickers across town.
About 275 people had already signed the petition by this morning, said Owen, who created the document.
Despite the evidence stacked against St. John, some supporters — like New Orleans native and Dispatch columnist Adele Elliott — plan to attend the meeting tonight to show solidarity with him.
“I”m not interested in what he did wrong — I”m interested in what he did right,” said Elliott, who started the Friends of St. John Facebook page with her husband, Chris Hannon.
Her argument, simply put, is that he”s “good for the entire community.”
“He”s brought the races together,” she continued. “He”s totally accessible. He”s an honest man. I feel safer here. I also feel like this is a witch hunt.”
People also are posting their support to the Facebook page.
“Alcoholism is not a crime. It is a disease and should not be treated so abstractly,” wrote Bob Raymond of Columbus. “This man has done so much good for the morale of Columbus and for the relations between the city and the public. It would be a terrible mistake to lose what he has yet to offer the city. I am all for him!”
“Chief St. John has been a long needed leader for the CPD. His experience has greatly improved the department. I don”t agree with the mayor or city council of any disciplinary actions,” wrote Donald Redmond of Columbus. “The Chief isn”t responsible for the high crime in the city. His department does the best they can with what they have. The mayor and city council should try to provide support and try to make their job a little better. The Chief has a stressful job, but he handles it with a smile always.”
After receiving “numerous” calls and emails, Smith and councilmen are feeling the heat.
“I”m quite sure,” Smith said, “that will be taken into consideration.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.