A city of Chandler fact-finding group upheld the discipline handed down to Sgt. Tom Lovejoy after he ran his own license plate through a police computer, according to documents released Monday.
Lovejoy appealed his one-day suspension and requested it be dropped down to a written reprimand. Also in the appeal, the former K-9 officer alleged that the policy he violated was vague, that police administration created a "hostile work environment," and that Chandler police Chief Sherry Kiyler and an assistant chief had a "retaliatory intent" during the investigation.
Lovejoy was among eight officers disciplined after a three-month internal affairs investigation into running a license plate for personal reasons. The plate was purchased by Lovejoy's wife, Carolynn, and said "C1FDME." According to Carolynn Lovejoy, it meant both "Christ 1 found me" and "Chief failed me."
"I can tell you that this has been the least enjoyable and most stressful time of my life, both personally and professionally," Lovejoy said in the appeal.
Also, Lovejoy said, "In the investigation it was determined that I violated a policy that is arguably vague and subject to interpretation."
He called the discipline "excessive" and inconsistent with industry standards and past practice.
The fact-finding group didn't agree with any of Lovejoy's allegations, according to the documents. The group was made up of Doug Ballard, Chandler planning and development director; Julie Buelt, employee council member and senior financial analyst; and Marian Norris, assistant to the city manager.
The group found that the policy wasn't vague, no evidence existed to show a hostile workplace and that the punishments and protocols followed were in line with police department policy.
