A GoFundMe account has been created for the benefit of two veteran law enforcement officers, Dave Swick and Christopher Meyer, who were fired from the Phoenix Police Department this week.
Myer and Swick were terminated by Chief Jeri Williams despite the fact that the Phoenix Police Department Disciplinary Review Board recommended suspensions.
“The Disciplinary Review Board recommended the officer receive a six-week unpaid suspension, but the decision on discipline is mine,” said Williams. “After meeting with Officer Chris Meyer personally, and considering all the facts of the case, I have notified him of my intention to terminate his employment.”
The Phoenix Police Department opened an investigation into how Meyer and fellow officers handled a shoplifting and subsequent fleeing of the scene incident involving 22-year-old Dravon Ames.
Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio has been vocally critical of the terminations which he describe as “political.” On Thursday, he posted his assessment of the situation on Facebook:
“Phoenix is facing a crisis of leadership in the face of a bunch of radical anti-police protesters, and it just cost two good, dedicated police officers their jobs. These are the people that put their lives on the line to protect our families even while we are sleeping, and now it’s our turn to protect them.
“These officers were unjustly fired for political reasons: one for bad language in a traffic stop, the other for nothing more than a Facebook post. In each case, the Disciplinary Review Board recommended a suspension – in the case of the FB post, they only recommended a suspension of EIGHT HOURS. Despite that, Chief Williams caved to political pressure and fired them both.
“Although they have the right to appeal this unfair decision, it could be several months before they are able to work again. Until then, they are left with no job, no income, and no way to feed their families.
“To help these officers and their families, some of their friends have started a GoFundMe to support these officers and their families while they appeal their wrongful termination. I have personally written a check for $1000 to help them and I hope you will be willing to donate too. Please click the link below to donate and please share this post to let everyone know it is time to #BackTheBlue.
DiCiccio explained his belief that the men were wrongfully terminated and would eventually get their jobs back on KFYI’s James T. Harris show. “These two police officers are going to get their jobs back. There is no doubt in my mind that they are going to get them back. You’ve heard me say before that they were going to be fired, because they,” said DiCiccio referring to Williams and the City Manager, “were going to throw them under the bus. But, they are going to get their jobs back. In the meantime, they’ve ruined their lives, their careers. Both these officers have never had one discipline complaint against them. One has been on the force for twenty years – not one thing against him. Nothing, zero in his file. The other a little less than twenty – nothing. No discipline at all.”
Detective Clinton “Dave” Swick was fired for social media posts that were considered by some to be racist.
The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association released a statement regarding Swick’s firing:
“The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) has a complete understanding of the position Chief Jeri Williams is in as the leader of the Phoenix Police Department and as an appointed employee of the City of Phoenix. However, we do not agree with the decision to terminate the employment of Officer Christopher Meyer and Detective Clinton Swick.”
“PLEA is dedicated to its members, and we ensure that we carry our members’ interests through until the end of all the processes that encompass employment with the City of Phoenix. An appeal hearing is in order, as the Discipline Review Boards for both Officer Christopher Meyer and Detective Clinton Swick recommended suspensions without pay that were on the lower spectrum of the discipline class. Neither Discipline Review Board, which are composed of community members and police employees, recommended terminating either Officer Meyer or Detective Swick.”
“These two officers now face months of legal battles, while unemployed,” reads the GoFundMe page. “These two officers have dedicated their lives, over 20 years each, to serve and protect the City of Phoenix. They now will face financial hardships while invoking their civil rights to regain their employment. During this time, we are asking for financial assistance for these two officers and their families. The road ahead of them will not be easy but with support, and backing the blue, it will aid in alleviating some stress.”
