Brownwood City Council approved an agreement on Tuesday between the city and Police Officer Mike Clark as a result of a tentative agreement reached during a civil service hearing which was held on April 9th.

In a press release, City Manager Bobby Rountree announced the following:

The City of Brownwood has settled the appeal filed by Police Officer Mike Clark of his indefinite suspension arising out of an incident that occurred in November 2009.

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement reached by the City and Mr. Clark, he will resign his employment immediately.  Upon his resignation, the City will pay him back pay and benefits that he would have been paid and accrued during his suspension.  Mr. Clark will receive approximately $57,500 in net pay as a result of the agreement.

City Manager Bobby Rountree stated: “This was a difficult decision for the City Council.  It was difficult to approve the back pay; however, Texas Civil Service law affords Clark with substantial protections that are not available to non-civil service employees.  These protections lead the council to believe they should accept the agreement.  They felt it was important to secure Clark’s resignation allowing all parties to move forward.”

Independent arbitrator/mediator Kathy Fragnoli of Dallas presided over the hearing regarding the termination of Brownwood police officer Michael Clark on April 9th.

According to Brownwood City Attorney Pat Chesser, Clark was terminated because of an incident on November 6, 2009 where he allegedly violated civil service rules and BPD policy.

In November of 2009, Clark was charged with Assault Family Violence and Unlawful Restraint after an altercation with a woman he was involved with while he was reported to be “highly intoxicated”.  These charges were dropped on November 22, 2010 when a plea bargain was struck with County Attorney Shane Britton’s office which involved Clark agreeing to plead no contest to lesser misdemeanor charges of Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct.

Clark was put on paid administrative leave on the date of the incident, November 6, 2009.  Mid-December 2010, Brownwood Police Chief Mike Corley and Assistant Chief James Fuller had a meeting with Clark where he was reported to have been given the chance to resign from the BPD.  Clark refused this offer a few days later and on December 24, 2010 was given an indefinite termination.

Brownwood Police Department has deferred comments to City Manager Pat Chesser who in turn has offered Rountree’s press release.