EVERETT — Police Chief Kathy Atwood has declined to give former officer Troy Meade his job back.
Atwood sent a two-sentence letter to the Everett Police Officers Association denying the grievance that the union filed on Meade’s behalf earlier this month. The letter was dated July 6 but not released until Monday morning.
Union leaders now can ask Mayor Ray Stephanson to review the grievance. If the mayor also upholds Meade’s termination, the union can ask for binding arbitration. That process could take months to sort out.
The city hasn’t heard back from the union regarding Atwood’s decision, Everett spokeswoman Kate Reardon said.
After being on paid administrative leave for two years, Meade’s last day with the force was June 30.
Former police chief Jim Scharf fired Meade that day for a 2009 line-of-duty shooting that took the life of Niles Meservey. Scharf called the killing “unnecessary.”
Meade encountered a drunk and belligerent Meservey in the parking lot of the Chuckwagon Inn. Meservey refused to get out of the car and drove into metal fence. Meade fired eight shots into the back of Meservey’s car. The Stanwood man was hit seven times and died at the scene.
Prosecutors charged Meade with murder. They alleged that Meade had other options besides using deadly force. Meade testified that he was afraid of being run down.
A Snohomish County jury in 2010 acquitted him of all criminal charges. The same jury, however, in a separate decision under civil court rules concluded that the shooting was not self defense.
Following a delayed internal investigation, Scharf characterized Meade’s actions the night of shooting as “unfathomable.” He concluded that Meade failed to comply with department policies and deemed that the 13-year police veteran isn’t fit to continue serving as an Everett officer.
The union filed a grievance on July 1, alleging that Meade was fired without just cause. Union leaders asked that Meade be reinstated. Meade has paid dues to the union since joining the force in the late 1990s.
His decision to fight his termination is expected to cost Everett taxpayers more in legal bills. The city already have spent about $1.2 million on attorneys and the settlement with Meservey’s family.
Meade also collected about $184,000 while city officials sorted out what to do with him.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
