Harris Files Appeal Of Termination In Chancery Court

An attorney for Former Algood Police Chief Gary Harris appealed his termination in Putnam County Chancery Court last week.

Richard Brooks said Algood’s termination and appeal process violated Harris’ civil rights.

“What we have here is the man that fired Gary Harris, based on what reason, is the man that heard the appeal. That’s like a traffic cop writing you a ticket and then you go in there to face him and he’s the judge,” Brooks said.

Algood City Administrator Keith Morrison made the decision to terminate Harris and heard Harris’ appeal to the decision. Morrison ruled the termination would stand.

Brooks said Harris didn’t have the opportunity to face his accusers at the hearing.

“My overall goal is to get a hearing that is fair. As an example, these accusations that were made against Gary that were blown up, we didn’t have a right to bring them in and face them,” Brooks said.

Harris was fired March 15, five days after a Cookeville attorney delivered a file of video and audio recordings featuring Harris.