Then-East Ridge Police Chief J.R. Reed answers questions after a 2018 manhunt in East Ridge.The Personnel Board of East Ridge has recommended that fired police Chief J.R. Reed be reinstated – but demoted to traffic sergeant.
After an appeal hearing on July 9, the board issued a six-page letter to City Manager Chris Dorsey saying that Reed, who was fired on March 13 by acting City Manager Kenny Custer, was “unqualified” as police chief. But, the letter said, “the board does not find any evidence of terminable conduct.”
It recommended Reed be reinstated retroactive to the date of his firing.
(Read more: Fired East Ridge police chief contests termination in meeting closed to the public)
The decision of whether or not to reinstate Reed now falls to Dorsey, who started work as the seventh East Ridge city manager since 2008 on May 3. Under the city charter, Dorsey makes the final decision.