The Minden Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board unanimously voted Thursday to rescind its previous decision declining further action on a grievance filed by Lt. Kenneth James before voting to forward the matter and related investigative records to the Minden City Council for its consideration.
The special meeting, held June 25 at Minden City Hall, revisited the board’s May 14 action concerning James’ request for an investigation into Police Chief Jared McIver’s handling of a disciplinary complaint involving Lt. Brandon “Shane” Griffith.
Board Chairman Tommy Davis and members Jamie Williams, Sedric Moody, and Cory Plunkett were present. James, who also serves on the civil service board, recused himself from voting because he is the complainant but attended the executive session in his capacity as a board member. Attorney Morgan Briggs of the Gold Weems law firm represented the board.
The meeting came after the board’s May 14 decision to “decline further action” generated criticism from audience members, who questioned the board’s procedures and investigation.
Unlike the earlier meeting, Thursday’s proceedings remained largely orderly, although several speakers again challenged the board’s handling of the matter before agenda items were considered.
Former Minden Police officer Chris Hammontree addressed the board first, reading from civil service regulations regarding the board’s purpose, including language stating that the system is intended to prohibit political influence in employment decisions.
“Y’all are supposed to keep politics out of the police department,” Hammontree said.
“The people are tired of the good old boy system,” he continued, warning that the board could face legal consequences if it continued operating as it had. Referring to the board’s legal counsel, Hammontree concluded, “Listen to your lawyer. He knows the law. Vote by the law, what is moral, ethical, and legal, not by what people want you to do.”
Former Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputy Brian Bass, who is associated with the Facebook page “Heart of Webster,” also spoke.
“I didn’t want y’all to go down the path of following the influence of a corrupt public official,” Bass said, describing what he characterized as corruption within Webster Parish government.
James then addressed the board, focusing on what he described as procedural concerns.
“My concern is simple. When a public board discusses, investigates, votes, or takes action … the process must be handled in a way that the public can understand and review,” James said.
He criticized the board’s handling of the May 14 meeting, saying there had been no meaningful public discussion because members entered executive session and later returned without issuing written findings.
James also compared Griffith’s case to disciplinary actions involving former officers Jason Smith and Chris Hammontree.
“The issue is not whether discipline may be imposed,” James said. “The issue is whether the same disciplinary standards are being applied consistently.”
“The citizens of Minden deserve confidence that decisions are not being made behind closed doors and that public comment is not just a formality,” he added.
The board first unanimously approved a motion to rescind its May 14 vote declining further action.
Members then entered executive session at 9:49 AM to continue their investigation. The board returned to open session at 10:24 AM.
Following the executive session, Briggs summarized the board’s investigation into the grievance.
According to Briggs, James had asked the board to review the disciplinary process rather than seek discipline against any individual.
Briggs said James submitted a request on Nov. 6, 2025, seeking disciplinary review of Griffith. McIver then directed that a formal investigation be conducted.
Briggs said Griffith was notified of the investigation Nov. 18, 2025, and Deputy Chief Tokia Harrison interviewed both James and Griffith before preparing a written report. Briggs said Griffith denied some allegations while providing explanations for others and also accused James of engaging in substandard conduct. James denied Griffith’s accusations and provided additional context regarding his own allegations.
According to Briggs, Harrison forwarded her findings to McIver, who met with both officers Jan. 9, 2026.
Briggs said McIver concluded the dispute stemmed from communication problems between the two lieutenants and determined those issues had been satisfactorily resolved during the meeting.
“The chief determined that issues arose due to a lack of communication between the two and that the issues were satisfactorily addressed during the meeting,” Briggs said.
Briggs said McIver documented that both officers indicated they were satisfied with the outcome and agreed to improve communication moving forward. He added that McIver determined discipline was unnecessary.
“To date, neither officer has been disciplined,” Briggs said.
Briggs also said that after the meeting between McIver and the two lieutenants, James later requested a follow-up and asked that the matter be forwarded to the city’s appointing authority.
“Through the process, the appointed authority has become aware of the issues in Lt. James’ complaint and, to date, the appointed authority has not taken any actions one way or the other,” Briggs said.
“There are different opinions in the police department about what the police department should do moving forward,” he added.
Following Briggs’ summary, Plunkett moved that James’ disciplinary review request, Harrison’s investigative report, and McIver’s conclusion letter be forwarded to the Minden City Council for its consideration. The motion passed unanimously.
James’ original November 2025 disciplinary memorandum alleged numerous policy violations by Griffith. The allegations were investigated internally by the police department before McIver concluded that disciplinary action was not warranted.
The Minden City Council has not publicly announced when it may consider the materials forwarded by the civil service board.