By GAGE WILSON
for Glasgow News 1
The Cave City City Council’s monthly meeting featured a contentious exchange between Councilwoman Leticia Cline and Cave City Police Department Chief Paul Reynolds.
Reynolds admonished Cline during the regular September meeting Monday for a recent social media post that was critical of how the police department conducts traffic stops. He read a prepared statement that rebutted Cline’s post.
“Since becoming chief, I’ve worked tirelessly to build a department that is proactive, honest and community focused,” Reynolds said. “However, I feel compelled to address a series of public claims by councilwoman Leticia Cline.”
Reynolds said he was referring to recent comments made on social media by Cline, which contained information about the department and its staff that “damaged public trust.” He also said that within Cline’s comments she identified an officer that was working undercover.
“Councilwoman Cline also posted sensitive information online, including officers’ names, salaries and retirement details,” he said. “In doing so, she also exposed one of our undercover narcotics detectives, jeopardizing both his safety and ongoing investigations.”
Reynolds went on to say that Cline had compared traffic stops made by the department as harassment. Reynolds said that minor infractions, such as improper signaling, are the leading causes for collisions in Kentucky. He also used an example of how these traffic stops can lead to more severe charges.
“I think it was expired tags, about two years ago, we ended up getting three pounds of methamphetamine,” he said. “Three pounds off of a minor traffic violation.”
Leticia Cline defends her statements on the Facebook post, even agreeing with Police Chief Reynolds that public officials should still be able to express their first amendment rights. Gage Wilson/for Glasgow News 1
Reynolds said Cline claimed that business at the bar she co-owns, The Dive, was down due to perceived police presence.
“We request evidence to support this,” he said.
The involvement of Sergeant Jacob Kersey in the post was also brought into question. Kersey defend the department and engaged in the online discussion, sparking a discussion on a public servant’s ability to engage in a personal capacity. Reynolds cited two court cases in which the Supreme Court ruled that public employees do not lose their right to free speech provided it does not disrupt their workplace or is false. This was brought up as Cline had stated an ethics violation occurred when “officers defended themselves online.”
“We’re not here to hurt any business,” Reynolds said. “But, we are going to make sure the roads are safe.”
Cline asked if she would have a chance to address these accusations, which Mayor Dwayne Hatcher allowed.
“The post that you are referring to was made by the owner of the Roxglass, Matt Stasel, that asked for the public to respond if they’ve had any negative interactions with the Cave City Police Department,” she said. “I am not the only person who spoke out, but I did respond when Kersey decided to say that if it meant closing down nightlife in Cave City then he was fine. To me that seemed like a personal agenda instead of stating facts.”
Currently Cave City has 22 businesses that operate with an alcohol license that pay taxes for that license, according to Cline. “It helps fund this department, it helps fund this city and goes back directly to keep it safe,” she said. “I think people tend to focus on that I am the co-owner of a bar, but I am a citizen first.”
With that Cline began to dispute Reynolds’ claims. She began with an assertion that the department was operating $173,000 in the negative, with Reynolds stating that they returned over $28,000. “That was the budget I voted for, for next year,” she said. “I brought that to the attention of the council a number of times.”
“The way it was stated, was ‘mismanaged’ I believe,” Reynolds responded. “Of course, I took that as a shot at me.”
“Of course, I will pull up references, but this is kind of a blind side,” Cline said. “So, bravo.”
Discussions between the two returned to what public employees can or can not say publicly, with Cline questioning the city’s policy on the matter. She said that the council had made plans to take a vote on ousting former councilman Brandon Wright for disparaging comments made about remarks in regards to local business. “As a public official our responsibility is to help citizens and the growth of the city’s economy,” she said. “We should never, no matter what our personal beliefs are, have the intent or ‘be fine with’ businesses closing.” She said comments made in the post by department staff went against this. Referring back to Kersey’s post, she said, “There was nothing said by me, until that statement was made.”
As the discussion became more heated, councilwoman Beverly Ford suggested that this matter should have been handled in closed session. “I don’t think this should be open like it is,” she said. “We are professional people.” Her statements were met with a low din of dissent from those present.
At the recommendation of city attorney Bobby Richardson, Hatcher declared that this discussion was over. Still disputes continued, and given the vehemence with which both parties expressed their side, Hatcher reiterated that discussion over this subject should end.
“What was your point in standing here before this council?” Cline asked. “Are you asking me to resign?”
“I just want everybody to know what’s going on ma’am,” Reynolds said.
Both Cline and Reynolds promised official complaints against the other.
Finally, with several strikes of his gavel the quarrel quieted. “This meeting is adjourned,” Hatcher said.
Cline demanded that the council convene a special-called meeting to discuss the police department’s body cam policy, which was the original intent of the report according to Cline. “We have to stop this,” Hatcher said.
No mention of a date was given to Cline’s request for a special-called meeting.
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