Atlanta Officer Back on Beat After “Baseball Bat” Comment Led to Suspension
July 18, 2009
Good news for Sgt. Scott Kreher, the IBPO national executive board member and president of IBPO Local 623 in Atlanta—he’s been returned to full duty after being suspended for controversial comments he made while trying to help disabled officers fight City Hall’s mistreatment.
“It’s about time Brother Kreher was put back on full duty,” said David J. Holway, IBPO national president. “He’s a fine officer and the people of Atlanta need him out there doing his job, not stuck behind a desk because of a few ill-chosen words in 17 years of outstanding public service.”
Sgt. Kreher had been spearheading the fight on behalf of five officers who were disabled in the line of duty, but whose vital medical treatments were being delayed or denied by the city’s workers compensation company. In May, the IBPO released a video about the officers’ plight, generating a lot of media attention. Then, Sgt. Kreher made an unfortunate remark about wanting to hit Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin in the head with a baseball bat because of his frustration over the way the officers had been treated. Unfortunately, he said it at a City Council meeting in the presence of the media.
Sgt. Kreher made a very public apology the next day, but was suspended from duty, forced to undergo a psychological evaluation (which he passed), and could not take any outside detail work to help support his family. Mayor Franklin sought investigations by local prosecutors and federal authorities, but neither pressed charges. He was returned to desk duty, but still blocked from outside details, about a month ago. Now, some two months after Sgt. Kreher was first suspended, he’s back to full duty.
We’re happy to see you back on the beat, sergeant!