This media release has seven parts:
- Summary of Investigative Report
- Summary of Separation Agreement between the City of Kalamazoo and Vernon Coakley
- Joint statement from the City of Kalamazoo and Vernon Coakley
- Links to PDF copies of Investigative Report and Separation Agreement
- Leadership changes for Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS)
- Statement from City Manager James Ritsema
- Statement from Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson
On June 30, 2022, Complainant #1, a female KDPS employee, filed a complaint against Chief Coakley alleging discrimination and harassment related to alleged verbal abuse. Complainant #1 subsequently made an additional complaint pertaining to events which occurred in 2018-2019 alleging discrimination and harassment related to alleged sexual harassment.
On August 12, 2022, Complainant #2, a female non-KDPS city employee, filed a complaint against Chief Coakley alleging discrimination and harassment related to alleged use of language that may constitute sexual harassment.
On August 13, 2022, Complainant #3, a female non-KDPS city employee, filed a complaint against Chief Coakley alleging discrimination and harassment related to alleged use of language that may constitute sexual harassment.
On August 16, 2022, Chief Coakley was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation into the complaints.
After the first allegation was received, the city administration began working with its labor counsel, Miller Canfield of Kalamazoo, and an outside independent investigator, INCompliance of Columbus, OH to review the claims. The outside independent investigator was tasked with fully investigating the allegations, interviewing complainants, Chief Coakley, and others as needed, and presenting findings and recommendations to the City Manager.
The outside independent investigator interviewed Chief Coakley, the three complainants, and a total of 19 possible witnesses, including past and current city of Kalamazoo employees and individuals that Chief Coakley requested be interviewed. The investigator also reviewed relevant City employment policies and KDPS policies related to the allegations.
On November 22, 2022, the outside independent investigator delivered its 30-page report to the City of Kalamazoo’s labor legal counsel and the City Manager.
The investigation found the three complainants to be credible and that policy violations by Chief Coakley occurred as follows:
Complainant #1, Allegation #1: Allegation of discrimination and harassment related to alleged sexual harassment.
Finding of Policy Violation: Code of Conduct/Discriminatory Harassment
Complainant #1, Allegation #2: Allegation of discrimination and harassment related to alleged verbal abuse.
Finding of Policy Violation: Standards of Conduct
Complainant #2, Allegation #3: Allegation of discrimination and harassment related to alleged use of language that may constitute sexual harassment.
Finding of Policy Violation: Standards of Conduct
Complainant #3, Allegation #4: Allegation of discrimination and harassment related to alleged use of language that may constitute sexual harassment.
Finding of Policy Violation: Standards of Conduct
On December 21, 2022, a separation agreement between the City of Kalamazoo and Chief Coakley was signed. Under law, Chief Coakley had seven days to rescind the agreement once it was signed. That rescission period ended December 28, 2022, and the agreement is now in effect. Chief Coakley will retire from KDPS effective January 1, 2023.
2. Summary of Separation Agreement between the City of Kalamazoo and Vernon Coakley
The “Separation Agreement and Full and Final Release” document was signed by City Manager Jim Ritsema and Chief Coakley on December 21, 2022. The following is a summary of the key points of the agreement:
A. Coakley’s employment with the City of Kalamazoo will end December 31, 2022; he will remain on paid administrative leave until that date
B. Coakley will retire effective January 1, 2023 with the standard KDPS pension package consistent with his employment agreement with the City
C. Coakley will receive a severance payment of 12 months’ salary totaling $155,250
D. Coakley will receive the standard payout of any unused sick or vacation time
E. Coakley’s separation will be listed as, “Retirement in Good Standing” for the purposes of the Law Enforcement Officer Separation of Service Record Act
F. Coakley releases the City from any future claims of possible suits, and agrees to nondisparagement of the City or its employees
G. The City and Coakley will release a mutually agreed upon joint public statement.
3. Joint Public Statement from the City of Kalamazoo and Vernon Coakley
“Kalamazoo’s Department of Public Safety (“KDPS”) Chief Vernon Coakley is retiring from KDPS effective January 1, 2023. Chief Coakley’s departure from the City follows the completion of an independent, thirdparty investigation of misconduct allegations. The Chief disagrees with the findings and the nature of the investigation, but would like to thank the men and women of Kalamazoo Public Safety and the community for 24 and a half years of service.
“The parties have resolved their differences in a separation agreement and full and final release.”
4. Links to PDF copies of Investigative Report and Separation Agreement
The Investigative Report, subject to applicable Freedom of Information Act redactions, may be downloaded at this link. The executed “Separation Agreement and Full and Final Release” document, subject to applicable Freedom of Information Act redactions, may be downloaded at this link.
5. Leadership changes for Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS)
With Chief Coakley’s retirement, City Manager Ritsema announces that Acting Public Safety Chief David Boysen will be the new chief of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety effective January 1, 2023. Boysen will have a private swearing-in ceremony the first week of January.
Boysen is a 26-year-Public Safety employee who was named Deputy Chief in March of 2021. Previously he was Assistant Chief of investigations and community collaborative programs since 2018 and was also captain of the Community Solving and Problem Solving Division.
6. Statement from City Manager James Ritsema
“I want to start by strongly emphasizing that allegations involving any kind of harassment are taken very seriously, and the City of Kalamazoo will always fully investigate any claims as required by law and the City’s personnel policies,” said City Manager Jim Ritsema. “These last few months have been difficult, and we now must move forward. However, I believe the negotiated settlement is the right decision for all involved. To those employees who brought forth these allegations, I thank you for bravely coming forward. The process was long, but necessary to gather all the facts and to ensure that those involved were treated with the measure of due process as required by law.
“Chief Boysen is the right person to lead our KDPS team and I know that he, and the nearly 300 employees of KDPS, will continue to work every day to keep our community safe.”
7. Statement from Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson
“The City of Kalamazoo is strong, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to continue the good work that’s being done to improve the quality of life in our city. This effort includes the work done by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety to strengthen community relations and enhance overall safety. We maintain full trust in KDPS and all KDPS officers under the leadership of Chief David Boysen, and we know that their good work will continue in the community.”
The City of Kalamazoo has no further statements on this personnel matter.
Original source can be found here.
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