Appeal Process Over for Former Police Chief

The termination appeal process for former Powder Springs police Chief L. Rick Richardson is over.

Richardson’s lawyer sent an e-mail Monday evening to the city saying he would not be proceeding with the appeal hearing scheduled for today, City Attorney Richard Calhoun said, adding he did not cite a particular reason for not proceeding.

“The appeal is over,” he said. “It’s done.”

Almost exactly four hours after moving into a closed executive session today regarding Richardson, the Powder Springs City Council returned at 1 p.m. to say that no actions were made during the closed meeting.

“I appreciate everybody’s patience here,” Calhoun told two news reporters and a court reporter who waited for the council’s return.

At 9 a.m., the appeal hearing’s scheduled start time, there were about 10 people in the City Council chambers.

“We know it took quite a while,” Calhoun said, “but this was necessary in order for the City Council to be briefed on the results of the (Cobb County) sheriff’s investigation and also to consult with legal council in respect to any issues."

Calhoun said from Richardson being placed on paid leave until today, the council couldn’t know specifics of the case involving the chief because they were to be the ones coming up with his final fate with the city.

“Basically Thanksgiving until now, they were not allowed to know anything about this, so it’s an odd situation to be in as a practical matter,” Calhoun said after the meeting.

Richardson was fired in early February for to Braswell's police department and donating a video camera system to the department in 2007, according to the investigation by the Cobb County Sheriff's Office. 

Richardson, who made an annual salary of $74,921, immediately appealed the decision.

Calhoun said as of today, no other motions or lawsuits had been filed by Richardson against the city. But, he added, there are always possibilities for it.

“There were threats of litigation right after he was terminated, so those are still out there,” he said. 

Also, Calhoun said, there are still possibilities of Richardson appealing his termination.

“I’m sure he could contest it if he wanted to,” he said.

Calhoun said that there is a “certification group” that decides whether law enforcement officers can continue in the field following termination.

“That’s up to them,” Calhoun said.

Richardson had been police chief since 1994 and on the force since the early '80s.

Mayor Pat Vaughn said after the meeting that the city will begin looking into finding a new police chief.

Maj. Mark Weaver is overseeing .

Vaughn said City Manager Rick Eckert is looking for an interim chief until a more permanent one can be found.