THOMASVILLE — A 2018 lawsuit filed by the seven Thomasville Police Department TPD command officers against the City of Thomasville and certain past and current members of Thomasville City Council has been resolved amicably by settlement, the plaintiffs’ attorney said.

The suit was settled for a total of $75,000, inclusive of attorney fees.

“The main reason for filing that lawsuit was for them to keep their job,” said Moultrie lawyer Robert D. Howell.

He said it was clear defendants Greg Hobbs, the suspended Thomasville mayor, and city council member David Hufstetler, among others, wanted to fire Police Chief Troy Rich and command staff members.

Their attempt to fire the TPD employees was thwarted by the lawsuit, Howell said.

The settlement ensures job security by requiring adherence to the city’s progressive discipline policy. 

“My clients never wanted to sue the City of Thomasville or its council members over this matter,” Howell said. “However, they were forced to do so in an effort to protect and secure their jobs. Had they not done so, I am convinced that none of them would be employed by the City of Thomasville presently, as it was clearly the intent of certain elected officials to bring about the end of my clients’ jobs with this city.”

The lawsuit was never about monetary gain for plaintiffs, Howell said.

“It was, instead, about clearing their names and eradicating, to the extent possible, the slanderous letter, materials and claims made by (former TPD officer) Waylon Parker and acted upon by the other named defendants,” the attorney said.

Through the lawsuit and eventual settlement, plaintiffs secured removal of the Parker letter from each of their personnel files.

The lawsuit also was about ensuring that elected city officials “stay in their lane” in the future, Howell said, and do not intentionally interfere with employment relationships between his clients and the City of Thomasville.

“This goal was also accomplished via the lawsuit and the settlement agreement obtained,” Howell said.

He said ending of the lawsuit allows his clients to return to doing what they do best — “providing exceptional service and protection to the City of Thomasville.”

“I can tell you that these officers truly love their jobs, love serving the community and were determined to not let any elected official interfere with their ability to continue doing so,” Howell said.

The attorney is confident that going forward, his clients will be treated fairly by the City of Thomasville and will be allowed to perform their jobs without interference or retaliation from any elected officials.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820