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Fired Denham Springs police captain appeals termination

7 years 5 months 3 days ago Monday, October 24 2016 Oct 24, 2016 October 24, 2016 11:37 PM October 24, 2016 in News
Source: WBRZ

DENHAM SPRINGS- No decision for a former city police captain appealing his termination earlier in the year. Steve Kistler and his lawyer made their case to the Municipal Civil Service Board Monday night arguing his due process had been violated.

Mayor Gerard Landry fired Kistler in April because he failed to execute a domestic abuse warrant against Denham Springs Councilman Chris Davis three months earlier. Kistler said he didn't make the arrest because the councilman's wife recanted her accusations and he feared being sued.

Kistler testified Monday that ambiguities in the law allowed him to issue a court summons in lieu of executing the warrant.

Kistler said he sought advise from City Prosecutor Blayne Honeycutt before opting-out of the arrest. He said Honeycutt advised him to "use my best judgment."

"I didn't have anybody in authority telling me that I was doing anything wrong," said Kistler.

The mayor's office along with current and former police officials testified that it's not uncommon for a domestic abuse victim to recant their accusations. They testified Kistler had trained his subordinates on the very issue and he should have known better.

The saga has already cost former Police Chief Scott Jones his job, also fired in April.

It's not clear when the Municipal Civil Service Board will make a ruling. Kistler's lawyer Steve LeBlanc said Monday he will appeal in court if Kistler's job is not restored.

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