KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The city of Kalamazoo says Vernon Coakley will retire from his role as chief of public safety after an investigation found allegations of harassment against him credible.
The city says Coakley and the city signed a separation agreement on Dec 21 and Coakley will remain employed by the city until Dec. 31. He will remain on paid administrative leave until that time.
Thenews comes months after the city announced Coakley had been placed on paid administrative leave while independent investigators looked into harassment allegations.
The investigation found the claims were credible and Coakley violated the code of conduct and standards of conduct.
Three complaints were filed. The allegations included inappropriate touching, sexually charged comments and inappropriate exercise of power.
On June 30, 2022, the first complaint involved a KDPS employee who says Coakley would pull her hair.
She also told investigators "the touch felt sexual and intimate" and took place through the years 2018 and 2017.
Investigators found that pulling hair constitutes sexual behavior, in violation of the city's code of conduct, even though the alleged actions were not followed by sexual statements.
Later, the same employee claimed Chief Coakley screamed at her after she didn't say "hi" to him when he greeted her. The incident happened on June 28th, 2022.
She claims Coakley requested disciplinary action after that incident. However, investigators found Coakley's actions "fell outside the boundaries of acceptable supervision" and again violated the city's code of conduct.
On August 12, 2022, a second city employee also filed a complaint. In the summer, she alleged that Coakley told her "If I pinned you up against the wall, I bet you'd melt."
Although there were no witnesses to the allegation, investigators cite records, showing the employee has no reason or motivate to fabricate anything Coakley said to her.
A third city employee filed a complain the next day, also alleging that Coakley made similar comments to her.
Investigators didn't find that the statements rose to the level of discrimination or sexual harassment. However. they did determine, according to the city's code of conduct, that Coakley's statements were disrespectful and in violation of city policy.
Moreover, investigators said that regardless of how things were said, the credibility of the complaint was bolstered by its similarity to another employee's complaint.
Chief Coakley stated that although he disagrees with the findings and the nature of the investigation, he'd like to thank the men and women of KDPS and the community for over 24 years of service.
The city and Coakley released a joint statement on Thursday.
“Kalamazoo’s Department of Public Safety (“KDPS”) Chief Vernon Coakley is retiring from KDPS effective January 1, 2023. Chief Coakley’s departure from the City follows the completion of an independent, third party investigation of misconduct allegations. The Chief disagrees with the findings and the nature of the investigation, but would like to thank the men and women of Kalamazoo Public Safety and the community for 24 and a half years of service.
“The parties have resolved their differences in a separation agreement and full and final release.”
Acting Public Safety Chief David Boysen will be the new chief of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety effective January 1, 2023.
Boysen released a statement via the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety's Facebook page Thursday afternoon.
"City Manager James Ritsema has appointed me to serve as the next Public Safety Chief, and I have humbly accepted.
I was hired as a Public Safety Officer assigned to the patrol division in 1995. I have served this community for over 27 years and have been very fortunate to serve in many different roles during my tenure. Some of these roles included: Investigator in the drug unit, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, and most recently, Deputy Chief in charge of Investigations and Collaborative Policing.
I will be working diligently to build upon the strong foundation that has already been established. We will continue our balanced approach of outreach and enforcement, while continuing to strengthen and improve our relationships within the department and the community. All the work that we do must be grounded in our overall mission which is to make Kalamazoo a safe community for all.
I am constantly amazed by the outstanding work, professionalism, and dedication that is displayed daily by the KDPS officers and staff. I am honored to serve as your Chief."
Documents obtained by FOX 17 show the city paid an independent investigative company based in Columbus called INCompliance at least $24,000 to investigate the claims.
According to the city, Coakley will receive a severance payment of 12 months' salary totaling $155,250, along with the standard payout of any unused sick or vacation time.
His separation, according to the city, will be listed as "Retirement in Good Standing" for the purposes of the Law Enforcement Officer Separation of Service Record Act.
Under the agreement, Coakley releases the city from any future claims of possible suits and agrees to non-disparagement of the city or its employees.
Coakley was first sworn in as the chief of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety in October 2020.
The city first announced an investigation into harassment allegations involving Coakley in August of 2022.
FOX 17 has reached out to Coakley for comment but has yet to receive a response.
This is the second shake-up in the position of police chief in as many years.
Back in the fall of 2020, former chief Karianne Thomas was let go after her mishandling of the riots and protests from the previous summer.
Read the full investigation report:
Investigative Report by WXMI on Scribd
*This is a developing article and will be updated as new information is confirmed.
