Florence deputy chief fired

FLORENCE – Florence police Deputy Chief Pete Williford was fired Thursday, more than a week after a female subordinate accused him of sexual harassment, officials said.

Florence Police Chief Rick Singleton placed Williford on administrative leave May 15 after the complaint was filed against Williford. The female employee accused Williford of sexual harassment after he made a suggestive comment about her haircut.

Singleton announced Thursday that he had investigated the complaint and had fired Williford.

Williford, 49, has been with the police department for nearly 28 years. He has five days to request a hearing with the city’s civil service board, which could confirm the chief’s action, reduce the penalty or reinstate him as deputy chief.

The termination is not final until the civil service board acts or until five days pass without a request for a hearing.

Williford issued a statement Thursday saying he is innocent of any sexual harassment charge and intends to appeal.

Williford said he believes the action is being taken to make up for the way Singleton handled a 2005 matter in which a police captain resigned the force after a sexual harassment complaint was filed against him.

“All of the due-process procedures that have been in place for decades were done away in my case and a new process was implemented just for me,” Williford stated. “I was not allowed to talk to any employees, face my accusers, ask any questions or present any witnesses.

"It is a sad state when a 28-year career can be ended by a comment about a haircut. I am confident that when all of the facts come out and are separated from the errors of the past, that it will be clear termination is not warranted. If not, promotions for a deputy chief, a captain, a lieutenant and a sergeant's position will be opened at the expense of my career."

Singleton, contacted about Williford's statement, declined to comment further.

Mayor Bobby Irons said he supports Singleton's recommendation.

Irons and Singleton both spoke highly of department employees, saying an incident like this shouldn't shed a negative light on other employees or their work.

Irons said the city has zero tolerance for sexual harassment and intends to have additional seminars on the matter for police personnel and employees in other departments.

"To provide the best service to the citizens of Florence, the police department must be free from workplace harassment," Irons said. "Chief Singleton and I will not accept anything less."

Williford was notified of the chief's decision during a meeting Thursday afternoon at the police department. In his haste to leave, Williford backed his truck into a co-worker's parked vehicle. He left the area without stopping or notifying police personnel.

He later said the only contact was to the vehicle's fender and there was no damage.

Singleton said he and Williford have been friends for more than 30 years, "but I have an obligation to everyone in this department and to the citizens of Florence. I have got to do my job."

Singleton said he had three questions that needed answering before he decided what action to take: Did he say it? Was she offended? Did he know better?

"The answer to all three was yes," Singleton said.

The chief said that during the investigation three other female employees said Williford had made offensive comments to them. He said, however, his decision to terminate Williford was based on the original complaint.

Williford said last week that the complaints were based on the fact that he holds employees under his supervision accountable for their actions.

"When you are in a position of management and you do your job properly by holding subordinates accountable to their responsibilities, you can be a threat to those that do not perform," Williford said last week.

At 2006's police annual meeting, Singleton said he had all employees in the department raise their right hand and take an oath that they could not be engaged in any form of sexual harassment. All of the employees, including Willford, took the oath, he said.

"I asked the supervisors if they knew the consequences of their actions if they violate those rules," Singleton said. "I'm not sure who spoke up, but they had the right answer -- you'll be fired. Everyone acknowledged they understood.

"Anyone in a management position in today's work environment knows they cannot say certain things. One of the requirements of the job is to be knowledgeable of these issues."

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@timesdaily.com.