Denied! Simpsonville Refuses Grounsell's Grievance Request

Amid howls of protest from supporters, fired Simpsonville Police Chief Keith Grounsell will not be allowed to appeal his controversial dismissal, City Administrator Russ Hawes said Tuesday.

In a letter released by the city Tuesday afternoon, but dated Jan. 10, Hawes informed Grounsell that he was being denied a grievance hearing on his firing due to his status as a "probationary" employee with the city.

Grounsell was hired by Council in late August and sworn in as chief on Sept. 18. He was fired on Dec. 28, creating a continuing firestorm of controversy and anger among his supporters in Simpsonville and his hometown of Mauldin.

"Because you were in your probationary period you are not entitled to file a grievance," Hawes wrote in his letter to Grounsell. "Therefore you have no grievance."

"You were in your probationary period period having been sworn in as Chief on September 18, 2012. You completed the Criminal Justice Academy on December 21, 2012. City Council has determined that, unfortunately, you are not well suited for the job," Hawes wrote. 

To read Hawes' entire letter to Grounsell, click the attached PDF.

Hawes' letter further alleged that Grounsell had violated certain protocols and niceties as well, referring to Grounsell's lengthy grievance letter to the city earlier this month. Hawes stated that, "Even if you were entitled to file a grievance it would have been denied."

Wrote Hawes: "In the same document you submitted January 7, 2013 to the City, you acknowledged that a vital part of your job was the ability to work with the City Council, city administrator, and human resources director. Even a cursory review of your January 7 document reveals where you complain bitterly about the actions of the city administrator, the incompetence of the HR director, and question the intelligence of City Council members. Subsequently, you have challenged the Mayor's manhood and his religion. You accused a Council member of discrimination. You have to be able to work with all of these and it is clear that you would not do it."

Two weeks ago nearly 200 people in support of Grounsell showed up to City Council to loudly protest his firing. Hawes' letter is likely to only add fuel to their fire — especially since it was released just hours before Tuesday's City Council meeting, in which Grounsell supporters had already vowed to show up again in his support.

Grounsell replies
In a texted statement to Patch Tuesday afternoon, Grounsell argued the city's decision was unfair:

"They denied my grievance stating I was not entitled to one, but yet on the Termination Action Form the city signed and sent me 3 days later after my termination it clearly said, "you have rights under the Employee Grievance and Appeal Procedure.

"It further stated how I needed to exercise those rights, which I followed," Grounsell added. "Now, they state I am not entitled to a grievance. They continue to send mixed messages, which is what draws suspicion on what and why they are doing this to me.

"These type of things are usually black and white, but not in Simpsonville for some reason," Grounsell continued. "Al I want is to be treated fairly, which has clearly not been the case."

Grounsell indicated to Patch that he intended to attend tonight's Council meeting, as have many of his supporters.

Stay tuned to Patch for more on this story and Tuesday night's City Council meeting.