Brier police chief says firing was ‘retaliatory’

BRIER – Mayor Gary Starks fired Brier Police Chief Jeff Holmes this week.

“This was a total retaliatory firing, with no cause,” Holmes said Wednesday. “Everybody is very upset by this, and I’m trying to stop my officers from quitting right behind me.

“They won’t do it, though, because we have the best interest of the city at heart; the mayor does not.”

Holmes was serving as part-time chief after resigning in June and then agreeing to stay until Starks filled the position. Holmes quit because, he said, “Starks is out of control and unreasonable to work for.”

At the time, Holmes accepted a full-time position as a Mountlake Terrace officer.

At his home Wednesday, Starks confirmed that he terminated Holmes’ contract, but he wouldn’t discuss the reasons.

Holmes said the City Council has been investigating a letter to the police chief from a city employee alleging that Starks carried a gun on City Hall property, which is against city policy.

Starks said Wednesday he didn’t have a firearm on City Hall property.

Holmes gave copies of the letter to council members, and said Starks ordered him to get the letters back from the council. “I refused, and he fired me,” Holmes said.

Starks declined to comment on the letter.

Starks said he knows not everyone agrees with him, but he believes he’s done a good job. “I only have my city’s interests at heart,” he said.

At Tuesday’s meeting, council member Bob Colinas moved to hire Cedar River Law professionals to represent the city in personnel matters.

“We hired counsel because we were concerned with some of the accusations against Mayor Starks,” Colinas said. “We’ve lost four employees so far since that man was elected. We don’t want to lose any more good employees.”

Starks was appointed mayor by the council in 2003 after former Mayor Wayne Kaske retired. Starks’ term ends Dec. 31, 2005. He said he hasn’t decided whether he will run again.

Starks said he plans to appoint an officer to lead the police department until a new chief is hired.

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