New Jefferson County Sheriff Rescinds 21 Promotions

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Less than two weeks on the job, new Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway rolled back the promotions of 21 deputies who were recently given new ranks by the previous administration. Several civilian employees were also rolled back.

The deputies, promoted through the county’s merit system, were notified Wednesday morning with a letter informing them that under Jefferson County Personnel Board rules, all promotions are probationary for one year. Because they were still in their probationary period, they were told they did not have to be given a reason for the change. An Alabama Media Group report said that under the county personnel board merit system, employees who are demoted after the one-year probationary period is complete have the right to appeal the demotion but all of these promotions were made within the past year.

All of those rolled back are removed from the certification list and must reapply and take the personnel board exam again, which is about a year-long process.

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Sheriff’s spokesman Capt. David Agee said anyone who asks to retire at the rank to which they were recently promoted will be given consideration to do so. One person has already expressed that as a possibility, he said.

This is not necessarily a new practice. When former sheriff Mike Hale began his administration in 2003, he started his first full day on the job by also rolling back the promotions of nine ranking deputies. Most of those, if not all, were reinstated within weeks.

Pettway also appointed Willie Hill as his chief deputy. Hill, 68, served nine years as a captain and commanded every division within the sheriff’s office. He was the Democratic candidate in the 2010 election for the position of sheriff.

Photo by Michael Seale/Patch