Simpsonville Police Chief Keith Grounsell Fired
The new chief, widely admired and supported by the city police force, was terminated by Simpsonville City Council on Friday night without explanation. Said Grounsell: "It's evil."
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Simpsonville Police Chief Keith Grounsell, who was hired in August, was fired by City Council on Friday night.
Exactly why remains unclear, however.
After a nearly two-hour, closed-door executive session, Grounsell was terminated in a 5-2 roll-call vote, based on an earlier motion by Council member Matthew Gooch to replace him with an interim chief. And that was it. No official explanation by city officials. And following the vote, Council members, the city attorney, and City Administrator Russ Hawes quickly fled the chambers to an off-limits area of City Hall without stating any reasons for the firing, but said the city would issue a press release on the matter Saturday.
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Many of the same Council members who voted for Grounsell's ouster had just three months ago celebrated their new chief at a packed City Hall reception that attracted local dignitaries such as state Rep. Garry Smith and Greenville County Sheriff Steve Loftis, who exclaimed, "he's going to do a great job as chief of Simpsonville."
On Friday night, however, Geneva Lawrence and Sylvia Lockaby were the sole Council members to vote to retain Grounsell, who had come to the department with impeccable law enforcement credentials, education, and a reformist attitude. "They were the only ones that had any balls," Grounsell said of his defenders on Council.
Outside City Hall, Grounsell told Patch his termination was immediate and that he had been advised to clean out his office. Joined after the vote by his wife, Reese, Grounsell said he would likely discuss legal options with his attorney.
Grounsell was widely endorsed and liked by police department officers and staff. However, his termination Friday night came amid great unrest among the police department.
Grounsell told Patch he believed he was being punished for trying to reform the department and restore morale and ethics that Grounsell and his officers believe had eroded under previous police chief Charles Reece and O'Neil.
"I'm kind of dumbfounded right now," he said of his firing, which he did not expect. "It's evil. I'm telling you, it's bad."
"For the citizens, it's an injustice," Grounsell said. "A man comes in with strong ethical character and tries to adhere to those values and won't compromise (his) ethics. They voted me out of office."
Reached by phone after the meeting, Council member Lockaby told Patch: "He would have done an excellent job if he was just given the chance — but he was just never given the chance."
Because it was a personnel matter, Lockaby said she couldn't discuss the reasoning behind Grounsell's firing. But it was clear that she didn't like it or agree with it.
"I was 100 percent against the firing," she said. "I'm very upset by this whole thing.... There's a lot I'd like to say [about the situation] but can't, but I can say the chief had my full support.... I think he was doing an exceptional job, but on my behalf there just wasn't enough support."
Asked if the city's promised press release would shed any details on Grounsell's dismissal, Lockaby said, "I wouldn't expect too much."
What happens next is anybody's guess. The Council will now have to appoint an interim chief, and it was unclear Friday night if that appointee might be O'Neil, who held the interim position between Reece's retirement and Grounsell's hiring.
But the larger question is what will happen now with the department's 37 sworn officers, the vast majority of whom avidly supported Grounsell. Now that their popular chief has been fired, and rancor is sure to grow, there looms the specter of the officers' original threat from their October letter — mass resignations. Grounsell also said that city administration has been "head hunting" to find out those officers behind the letter, which could portend more firings and more crisis and upheaval within the department.
As for the officers themselves, Grounsell said he had no idea what they might do in the wake of his firing, and neither did Lockaby.
"I guess the next few days will tell," she said.
Stay tuned to Patch for more updates on this story, including an interview with Grounsell.
eric wood
1:59 am on Saturday, December 29, 2012
The City Council should explain to the people of Simpsonville the reason behind their actions, esp. as they are highly suspect. If they had good reason to fire him, then setting the record straight for the citizens will only aid the city in this.
www.canigetawordin.com
rb
4:39 am on Saturday, December 29, 2012
I moved to Simpsonville 4 years ago and initially thought it was a wonderful city and a great place to live. Over time, I began to wonder about the local government. It seemed to be typical small town politics, not what one would expect from a city that is often listed as one of the best places to live and raise a family. I hope there will be some clear answers about what happened in this matter. The taxpayers and voters have a right to know. Closed door sessions and secrecy don't make for good government.
Robert Smalls
12:54 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
taxpayers and voters have no rights to know anything; why don't you study personnel laws before making an emotional statement like that
Marshall Roberts
8:12 am on Saturday, December 29, 2012
No one has to explain anything. Just say its politics. That way we can just roll on like the President and congress. No budget in over 3 years, out of control spending. Don't worry, be happy.
John Bulman
8:33 am on Saturday, December 29, 2012
I'm gonna find out the juicy details from reliable sources and then I'm going to tell all the media outlets! I am not an employee of Simpsonville so I don't fear retaliation! I'd be nervous city council! I have a big mouth!!
John Holmes
4:48 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
I hope you truly mean that, people need & want answers....not just in the city limits but as citizens of Greenville county as a whole. Maybe one day if Simpsonville can get straight, then there could be hope for Ft Inn next....
Tammy Bagwell
9:17 am on Saturday, December 29, 2012
Having served on Council, I will say that legally, they CAN'T say why they fired the Chief. It is a personnel matter, and that would be begging for ANOTHER law suit. I don't typically offer many opinions concerning local politics when I am not in serving in office. I let elected officials do their jobs. Granted, I don't have all of the facts. However, knowing what I know, and from the outside looking in, I must agree with Ms. Lockaby in saying that Chief Grounsell would have made a good Chief having been given the chance. He wasn't given the chance. I believe he wasn't doing what was "easy". He was doing what was best for the Simpsonville Police Department, and in turn, what was best for Simpsonville. Fear of law suits is not reason enough to fire a good man. As my husband said, there is a time to do what is best for the city and a time to do what is right. In this case, I don't believe they did either. It truly is a sad day in Simpsonville.
rb
12:10 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
If information is not forthcoming, I would encourage voters to speak loudly at the polls when members of council come up for re-election.
John Holmes
4:51 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
"Not being allowed to speak about it" is one thing, leaving EVERYONE INVOLVED completely clueless is another. That's a crappy excuse...haven't these morons ever heard of the Freedom of Information Act? It WILL all come to light eventually, they may as well buck up & be honest now.
Elmer B
12:35 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
Well, what do you know? Tammy is back again after a two year absence which began when the citizens of Simpsonville had had enough of her "goody two shoes "mentality She was one of those on council who sat by while the former Mayor and a female council member had a, shall we say,"omantic interlude" a clear conflict of interest. I have lived in Simpsonville for almost thirty-five years and am yet to be surprised by anything that happens in this city government. Dont' let your guard down, support the Chief in the January 8 th council meeting. Any attempt to keep citizens from making comments ( not asking questions about this so-called personnel matter) would almost certainly be a violation of first amendment rights. That would bring the feds in which I am hoping will happen as it is likely the only way we citizens willl ever know the truth. By the way, anyone want to hire a city manager?
James Smith
3:11 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
After seeing him show his @$$ do you still feel he would have made us a good leader??
James Smith
3:13 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
After he showed his true colors at the Council meeting do you still believe he is a good leader. How about showing some restraint!!!!
Christy Staton
10:03 am on Saturday, December 29, 2012
I was shocked and saddened last night when this news story broke. Kudos to Sylvia Lockaby and Geneva Lawrence for standing up for what is right and fighting for what they believe in. I am so proud to have supported and voted for both of them. I also appreciate the opinion of Tammy Bagwell in this matter. Her previous post is well stated and very wise.
Linda ward
11:17 am on Saturday, December 29, 2012
What is the reason behind the firing? I think the city owes it to the people of Simpsonville to be upfront and honest. I supported Chief Groundsell from the very beginning and Iwas very happy that he had the backing of the local police officers. I think something smells in Simpsonville.
James Smith
10:44 am on Monday, January 21, 2013
Miss Ward, You like alot of others, were supportive of Grounsell. Its bad that he abused the publics trust as he has. The truth will be revealed and you will be made aware of why he was fired. It has nothing to do with all of the lies being spread on this Patch. Hopefully, you and everyone else will be more informed very soon. You all deserve to know the truth.
David C. Couper
12:31 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
Learn how to evaluate your police and police chief. Follow my blog at http://improvingpolice.wordpress.com.
Robert Smalls
12:52 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
I knew this hire was a sham and a potential disaster when all of the announced finalists were locals and none had actual police chief experience
John Holmes
4:53 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
Just because someone doesn't have experience specifically as a chief doesn't mean they can't do the job. This is an individual with training, education, & experience, who grew up & lived in the local area. Who better to serve, or at least get the opportunity to serve, their community than one of its own?
James Smith
10:48 am on Monday, January 21, 2013
Mr Smalls, not all of the finalists were locals and at least two had served as interim chiefs at some point in the past. The problem here is that the candidate they chose had the least experience of all of the other candidates. Like it or not experience counts for alot! What's on paper and in the media is not always true and should ALWAYS be verified before basing decisions on it....
Bob
12:57 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
What a joke especially Mayor Eichor who while running for Mayor expressed concern over how the city had been ran in the past by the former administration and counsel members. However, when elected he continues the path of running this city into the ground. I'm sure his plan was only to serve one term so I doubt he even cares about the future elections and what condition he leaves the city. It appears this was to further inflate his ego and rape the tax payers of Simpsonville for benefits and not be concerned with properly running the city as he had promised. Mayor Eichor and the other 4 individuals voted against a positive change for the city because they were unable to keep the control over the police department. These 5 individuals don't want a new chief who wants to make positive changes they want a person they can manipulate to do what they want. This has been an on going trend with the elected officials of Simpsonville since I have lived here. These individuals have misappropriated sewer funds to just turn around and ask the tax payers for more money. In 2008 they almost bankrupted the city, and have appointed puppets to be department heads all behind the backs of the very people they are suppose to work for. That's right the mayor and city counsel work for the people of Simpsonville not the other way around and I hope all citizens will join together in a united voice in each election that these 5 people seek re-election and vote them out of office.
Robert Moore
1:11 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
Clearly the city council is the epitome of small town rascals portrayed jokingly in so many slap stick movies! I say this as a born and bred Carolinian but the "Good Ole Boy" politics in this whole area is a true joke! What these tiny minded people get away with is probably very criminal but they god rid of the guy who could expose them. We need a Sled investigation into the whole situation.
Linda Meetze
3:23 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012
I agree, the city does need someone from the outside to investigate. The council members who voted to fire Grounsel better be looking for something else to do come next election. Time for the "Good Ole Boy's" to go !!!
John
1:26 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
Hire Ralph Bobo... Good man..
John Holmes
4:55 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
If that's all it took, then this wouldn't be happening now. Keith is also an excellent choice, good man, etc...apparently that's the problem, which means Bobo wouldn't stand a chance either.
Carlee S
9:24 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I am actually interested to see what Bobo has to say about all of this. I feel sure he was fired because "people" were afraid he would talk. He was running against "nick smith" I mean Colleen for the job as Chief.
I feel sure he will talk when the time is right!
Nick Smith
12:49 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013
Carlee S...shame on you for trying to act as if you are pure. We all know who you were in bed with when you were married the first time. Remember, there are pictures available! Remember the one of the police car parked at your house in the middle of the night when your husband was working? He has shared them. Be careful about throwing stones when your own walls are made of glass my dear!
Becca
4:41 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
I, like everyone else, am left clueless about reasoning here. But from the jest of the article it wreaks of possible dirty politics and makes you want to know who is protecting who and why? Dirty politics is why I have not paid for or watched tv for over 6 years. Why pay for lies and dishonesty because some high paid corporate exec or politician paid for them to say what THEY wanted you to see and hear and not what was best and honest? I guess sometimes the truth hurts, but it appears the wrong person is hurting here. I guess we won't know until they spill the beans. I hope they have proper grounds because, so far I don't see it and I hope an investigation is being done on the council and the department from this and I don't even live there. I can feel the skeletons rattling.
Colonel C. E. Rogers
10:35 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012
I personally believe that Ralph and Keith would both make a GREAT Police Chief for Simpsonville. They know the area well, they know Law Enforcement Policies, Procedures, and the Laws as well as anyone else, and they know how to operate a Police Dept while getting along with all Police Officers at the same time. So why not give one of them a chance?
Michael Tuttle
7:45 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012
City council is an embarrassment for Simpsonville,if you don't believe it go to one of their meetings,what a joke.The police chief just uncovered some things that the mayor and council don't want us to know.Lets get rid of these people!
Elmer B
12:45 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
Hey, its not just the mayor. Look at the city administrator. He has been controversial ever since he came here. Council wanted to give him the power to hire and fire department heads, a task that is clearly their responsibility under the weak mayor, strong council form of government. Whe the city attorney said it would violate state law, all of a sudden our most vocal and pompous council member moves to table it! Without this tool, council had to come up with something else. Get someone from outside the city government to impartially look into this and the sewer fee tricks
Colonel C. E. Rogers
8:13 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012
It would appear to be in the best interests of the Citizens of Simpsonville if Chief Grounsell were to take his complaints to the 13th Circuit Solicitors Office where he came from. Should the Solicitor listen to him well enough to launch an investigation for corruption and/or all other violations of Law, then upon his request the Governor has the legal & Constitutional Powers to remove from Office Mayor Eichor, All or Select City Council Members, and the Assistant Chief of Police until the full Investigation has been either completed or a new Election is held. While doing this, the Governor may also appoint a New Acting Mayor and a New Acting Police Chief & even a New Acting Assist. Police Chief. With this idea in mind, someone who personally knows Chief Grounsell should make the above suggestion to him and see if he wants to pursue these matters in this way.
wwilliams
10:32 am on Monday, December 31, 2012
What a joke this is....these good OLD boys think they are invincible...lest they FORGET...they shall REAP WHAT THEY SOW...I mean...they should know that.. this is the SO CALLED BIBLE BELT STATE...HA...WHAT A JOKE!
Laura Johnson (lj)
12:47 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Hey guys and girls! I just confirmed that “NICK SMITH” is Colleen Oneil the recently terminated and disgruntled Assistant Chief of Police from Simpsonville. Keep that in mind whenever you read her post. Oh yea, I am a friend of a close friend of Colleen Oneil’s best friend at the Simpsonville PD, Karen Henderson who is “JAMES SMITH.” Karen Henderson (aka James Smith) is the current School Resource Officer from Hillcrest Middle School. Just thought everyone should know this, so take what Colleen Oneil (aka Nick Smith) and Karen Henderson (aka James Smith) says with a grain of salt.
Michael
5:21 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Laura - I think we had pretty much figured it out but good to know. Not even enough good sense to be brave enough to use their real names. Figures.
Nick Smith
3:48 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
Laura Johnson, You are either grossly mislead or flat out lying. Since you're so deeply imbedded in this corrupt group, it's hard to tell the difference. My name is NICK SMITH. I don't even know James Smith or Karen Henderson. So, just because someone disagrees with your point of view you go on some senseless attack.
Golden Strip Citizen
12:59 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
So nick being that you DONT work at the zoo that they confirmed it there are lies on your fb page. I thought you were who you said you were and had nothing to hide? maybe that was a mistake... we can over look it, why don't you let us know who you are, and you can place the real place you work and not a lie " Greenville Zoo" They state Nick Smith has never worked there