Patterson files an appeal against the city 12-16-2010

FORMER GREENVILLE POLICE CHIEF CHARLES PATTERSON FILES AN APPEAL AGAINST THE CITY OF GREENVILLE AND THE CITY COUNCIL. PATTERSON STATED IN A 10-PAGE APPEAL FIELD IN WASHINGTON COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT THAT HIS DECEMBER 6 TERMINATION CONSTITUTES WHAT AMOUNTS TO DOUBLE JEOPARDY FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENSE HE WAS PUNISHED FOR BACK IN APRIL.  ACCORDING TO THE DOCUMENT, THE CONTROVERSY WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO THE COUNCIL'S DECISION ACTUALLY BEGAN IN THE SPRING OF 2010. THE FORMER CHIEF GATHERED INTELLIGENCE A GANG FIGHT WAS GOING TO BREAK OUT AT A CARNIVAL LOCATED AT THE GREENVILLE MALL. PATTERSON ORDERED HIS OFF DUTY OFFICERS WORKING SECURITY AT THE CARNIVAL TO NOT TAKE THEIR PRIVATE VEHICLES, BUT INSTEAD TAKE THEIR POLICE UNITS WITH THEM AS A SHOW OF FORCE AT THE MALL.  DESPITE VICE MAYOR KENNETH GINES SUSPENDING PATTERSON FOR THREE DAYS WITH PAY FOR INSUBORDINATION, PATTERSON THEN WENT BACK TO THE MALL AND ALLEGEDLY TOLD HIS OFFICERS TO HIDE THEIR VEHICLES.  THE CITY CONTENDS THE REASON FOR PATTERSON'S TERMINATION WAS HIS ACTIONS AFTER HE WAS SUSPENDED IN APRIL THAT THEN LED TO HIS FIRING EARLIER THIS MONTH. HOWEVER, THE CITY'S VEHICLE USE POLICY ORDINANCE REFERRING TO THE USE OF CITY VEHICLES FOR PERSONAL USE HAS CONFLICTING SENTENCES. THE APPEAL ALSO STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE SUPERVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT BY THE POLICE CHIEF OR SUPERVISE POLICE OFFICERS ON A DAILY BASIS.