(Officer Graff's situation as explained on his facebook page - excerpted)
Officer Peter Graff has been wrongfully terminated by the City of Tehachapi's City Manager Greg Garrett and Chief of Police Kent Kroeger.
Officer Graff exposed information about a Police Sergeant for alleged wrongdoings, and by doing so, has been attacked for approx 5 1/2 years. Two City Council members knew of the crimes committed by the Sergeant and allowed the City Manager and Chief Kermode to hide the alleged crime.
Approx 18 months ago Officer Graff was interviewed as a witness by the Kern County Grand Jury. He was asked about his back K9 pay that the city refused to pay him. This appears as obvious retaliation for being a ‘whistle blower’.
Chief Kroeger found out from another interviewed Officer that Peter Graff had told the truth during his interview. Then the attacks on Peter Graff began again. Shortly thereafter he was placed on administrative leave where he has remained for the last 11 months (approx) until his termination. The city manager Greg Garrett and Chief Kroeger hired private investigators to come after Pete to find something on him.
This took 8 months and cost the taxpayers approximately
$50,000 dollars(!), not to mention the overtime to cover his position, using other Officers and a Sergeant to go re-interview his past cases. And they still found nothing and only formed opinions.
Chief Kroeger generated absolutely ridiculous allegations. Officer Graff’s Attorney, his Union Rep and Peter Graff himself completely destroyed their allegations in a sit down meeting with the City Manager Greg Garrett. They even provided phone numbers and names to Greg Garrett, and Garrett opted to never make contact.
On or about 11-28-2016 , Peter was called down to the Tehachapi Police Department and was terminated by Chief Kent Kroeger. He was terminated for allegations that were earlier completely addressed, answered and destroyed.
This is an obvious retaliation and a complete waste of taxpayer dollars.
The city manager Greg Garrett and Chief Kroeger are obviously trying to make an example out of Peter Graff.
We feel this is an blatant abuse of power, pushed in retaliation for Peter Graff being a “whistle blower” and telling the truth.
Reinstate Officer Graff!
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