HS Represents Brunswick Police Chief

Lawyers for Edna Johnson, who was fired June 24 as Brunswick police chief, say her termination was unlawful and City Manager Roosevelt Harris should reinstate her immediately. 

Harris fired Johnson after he said she lied to him and Mayor Bryan Thompson about an internal investigation into an officer soliciting a prostitute. Johnson will go before the Brunswick City Commission at 11 a.m. Monday to appeal Harris’ decision. 

In a letter to Harris, the city commission and the city attorney, Johnson’s lawyers, Neil Henrichsen and Helen Albec of the Jacksonville law firm of HenrichsenSiegel, said Harris’ decision to fire Johnson was political and, therefore, violated the city charter. 

The letter alleges that Harris originally intended that Johnson be suspended and placed on probation, but after a meeting June 23 of the city commission, Harris changed his position and moved to terminate her. 

Johnson’s lawyers wrote that the city manager is supposed to “carry out his duties in a non-political objective manner to facilitate the operation of the city’s government,” because the charter calls for the manager to be appointed for his qualifications only. 

Other department heads are also supposed to be appointed solely on their qualifications, the lawyers wrote, so Johnson’s termination should not be a political decision. 

The letter did not threaten legal action, but stated, “Should the termination not be rescinded, evidence will be put on that fully demonstrates the politicized and improper nature of Chief Johnson’s termination in violation of the city charter.” 

Harris did not comment on the letter Thursday, nor did Mayor Bryan Thompson. Henrichsen did not return telephone calls.

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