Chattanooga Mayor Ron LittlefieldNames of officers in the lawsuit:• James Phillip Headden• Doug Stone• Robert Evans• Susan Blaine• Albert Tallant• Jeffrey Dewitt Rearden• Roger David Gibbens• James Franklin Lee Holloway• Kevin Duane Kincer• Rodney Craig Thompson• Tommy Gene Meeks• James Anthony Blanton• Rebecca Sue Shelton• William W. Phillips• Bryan Scot Churchwell• Jeffrey Tremayne Gaines• James Ross Hogwood, II• Evander Elliott Lloyd, Jr.• Jennifer Ann Duggan Davis• Wilma Jean Brooks• Todd Thomas Royval• Austin L. Garrett• Christopher Keith Phillips• Anthony Easter• Robert Jason Lewis• Craig W. Joel• Scott Allison Bales• Jonathan Connor Bryant• John Chambers
Twenty-nine Chattanooga police officers have filed a lawsuit against Chattanooga, its mayor and police chief alleging age discrimination, due process violations and breach of contract for failing to fix pay problems among the ranks of sergeant and above.
The main complaint centers on a promotion program that has allowed new police officers training and raises that, in many instances, paid lower-ranking police more than their supervisors.
Filed in Chancery Court this week, the lawsuit seeks back pay, lost benefits, damages allowed under certain state provisions, court costs, attorneys fees and a solution to the pay disparity.
Attorneys for the officers, Bryan Hoss and Stevie Phillips, said in a statement Wednesday that Mayor Ron Littlefield and the City Council have acknowledged a significant problem with the pay plan.