Former Police Chief Files Wrongful Termination Suit Against Caddo Valley
By: Josh Berry
Updated: June 15, 2012
The City of Caddo Valley is facing a possible lawsuit.
Former Police Chief, Duane Baucom claims he was wrongly fired and now wants to take the city and it's mayor to court.
Baucom said when he was hired, the mayor ensured him he would have a job as long as the mayor was there.
Now, the Mayor's still there but Baucom isn't and he wants to start a legal battle that's stemming from a feud that started on day one.
"My first day on the job I was faced with one of the officers who let me know I shouldn't be there and I was an outsider and that they should have taken a chief from within the department," Baucom said.
It didn't end there. He said that was just the beginning and that it would continue on culminating in a letter from every officer to the city council presenting a vote of no confidence, asking that the city fire the chief.
Mayor Allan Dillavou said no, initially.
Less than a week later, Baucom said he was given a termination letter by the mayor.
"He said I hate to do it," Baucom recounted. "He said if you wanna sue Caddo Valley, that's fine. to tell you the truth I don't blame you if you do."
And that's exactly what he's done. He's trying to take the city and the mayor to court.
Baucom and his attorney, Justin Hurst filed the lawsuit June 14th.
Mark Hayes, the general council from the Arkansas Municipal League may represent the city and Mayor Dillavou.
He said Baucom doesn't have much of a case, and that this center's around everyday problems in a work place.
"It really isn't a legal issue, it's really just a management issue," Hayes said. "We've got folks that don't get along so you tell everybody to get along... They don't, somebody's got to go. That does not a lawsuit make, it's pretty simple."
Baucom's attorney feels the complete opposite.
"Clearly we think we Duane has a very strong case here," Hurst said. "We wouldn't have filed lawsuit."
Baucom's attorney plans to take it to a trial by jury and let them decide.
"He's hoping to receive some compensation for this hoping to be able to survive. He's wanting to simply be made whole again," Hurst added.
Without an income, Baucom said he has very real problems.
"I have a very ill wife with numerous health problems."
He said she can't go to any of her treatments because they don't have the money to pay for it.
"To just call me in out of right field, and send me out the door with absolutely nothing... that's not right."
He said he's jobless right now trying to make a buck any way he can.
He's even asked to rejoin the force where he came from in Hot Spring County.
Former Police Chief, Duane Baucom claims he was wrongly fired and now wants to take the city and it's mayor to court.
Baucom said when he was hired, the mayor ensured him he would have a job as long as the mayor was there.
Now, the Mayor's still there but Baucom isn't and he wants to start a legal battle that's stemming from a feud that started on day one.
"My first day on the job I was faced with one of the officers who let me know I shouldn't be there and I was an outsider and that they should have taken a chief from within the department," Baucom said.
It didn't end there. He said that was just the beginning and that it would continue on culminating in a letter from every officer to the city council presenting a vote of no confidence, asking that the city fire the chief.
Mayor Allan Dillavou said no, initially.
Less than a week later, Baucom said he was given a termination letter by the mayor.
"He said I hate to do it," Baucom recounted. "He said if you wanna sue Caddo Valley, that's fine. to tell you the truth I don't blame you if you do."
And that's exactly what he's done. He's trying to take the city and the mayor to court.
Baucom and his attorney, Justin Hurst filed the lawsuit June 14th.
Mark Hayes, the general council from the Arkansas Municipal League may represent the city and Mayor Dillavou.
He said Baucom doesn't have much of a case, and that this center's around everyday problems in a work place.
"It really isn't a legal issue, it's really just a management issue," Hayes said. "We've got folks that don't get along so you tell everybody to get along... They don't, somebody's got to go. That does not a lawsuit make, it's pretty simple."
Baucom's attorney feels the complete opposite.
"Clearly we think we Duane has a very strong case here," Hurst said. "We wouldn't have filed lawsuit."
Baucom's attorney plans to take it to a trial by jury and let them decide.
"He's hoping to receive some compensation for this hoping to be able to survive. He's wanting to simply be made whole again," Hurst added.
Without an income, Baucom said he has very real problems.
"I have a very ill wife with numerous health problems."
He said she can't go to any of her treatments because they don't have the money to pay for it.
"To just call me in out of right field, and send me out the door with absolutely nothing... that's not right."
He said he's jobless right now trying to make a buck any way he can.
He's even asked to rejoin the force where he came from in Hot Spring County.
