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High Ranking Battle Creek Officers Fired After Internal Investigation

Posted at 5:16 PM, Apr 29, 2014
and last updated 2014-04-29 17:16:26-04
jim saylor

Former Deputy Chief Jim Saylor

BATTLE CREEK, Mich (April 29, 2014) – After an extensive internal investigation by the Battle Creek Human Resources Department and the City Attorney’s Office, two high-ranking officers with the Police Department have been fired.

Deputy Chief Jim Saylor and Inspector Maria Alonso are no longer employed by the city according to a press release issued Tuesday.

City officials say more than 35 people were interviewed during a seven week investigation, leading up to the decision to let Saylor and Alonso go.

Interviews were conducted with both current and former employees of the Battle Creek Police Department, the City of Battle Creek and other citizens according to the release.

Both Saylor and Alonso were placed on administrative leave in early March while the city investigated allegations a personal relationship between the two created a hostile work environment within the department.

Based on the findings, Interim City Manager Susan Bedsole concluded the allegations were substantiated, resulting in the termination of both officers from the department.

Saylor and Alonso have already filed a federal lawsuit against the city prior to today’s decision, click here for more.