Former Minden Police Detective Jason Smith is no longer employed with the department or serving as president of the Minden Police Association following the City Council’s unanimous vote this week to uphold his termination.
The council met in a special session August 25 and accepted Police Chief Jared McIver’s recommendation to terminate Smith after an internal investigation into his conduct. The council entered executive session for about an hour before returning to vote.
Smith’s attorney, Ms. Breedlove, had asked for the matter to be heard publicly, but the city’s special counsel, Aaron Green of Faircloth, Melton, Bash & Green, LLC, advised the council to deliberate in executive session.
“As he [Smith] is the subject of this investigation, he has the right to having his hearing and all the discussions about him held in public, and that is his desire,” Breedlove said.
Green responded that open meetings law did not require the hearing to be public, again recommending executive session. Councilman Andy Pendergrass, District E, made the motion to enter executive session, seconded by Councilman Buddy Myles, District A.
When the council returned, Councilwoman Latasha Michell, District C, moved to uphold McIver’s recommendation, with Pendergrass seconding. The vote was unanimous.
Smith confirmed he is no longer civil service or MPA president and said he is not at liberty to speak about the details of the case pending consultation with his attorney.
“They also lost 22 years of investigative experience,” Smith said.
Officials at City Hall declined further comment on the matter. “We are unable to comment on this ongoing proceeding other than to say that the City complied with Mr. Smith’s rights and applicable law in all respects and will see this matter to conclusion if Mr. Smith chooses to appeal the Council’s decision,” the official statement read.