The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
A firefighter is challenging his demotion from captain after complaints of hazing last year.
Robert Valentine ran Station 9 in Kempsville for four years. His rank was reduced to master firefighter and he has appealed the demotion in Circuit Court. His lawyer contends that the grievance process was unfair.
The city has declined to discuss the demotion, saying that it is a private personnel matter. The circumstances surrounding the case have not been made public.
Fire Chief Steven Cover did not return two telephone requests to comment on the case. He wrote three memorandums about the hazing or harassment of a recruit, but none have been made public.
Valentine declined requests for an interview. But a letter from his wife, which was sent to City Council members last month and obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, provided some background.
Regina Rossi Valentine wrote that her husband was blamed for allowing six hazing incidents between January 2007 and January 2008. Valentine, a 19-year veteran of the department, was placed on administrative leave.
When the internal investigation ended in March, Valentine, who had no history of disciplinary action, was demoted and given an "employee improvement plan" to ensure that he was "salvageable," according to the letter.
"What crime so heinous did Captain Robert Valentine commit to warrant such a punishment?" his wife wrote. "All we want is the truth to be told."
"We want to clear his name," the letter continued. "We want his gold bars back on his white uniform."
City Council member Harry Diezel would not address the case but said, "From my perspective as a former fire chief, hazing that is disruptive and or injurious is not acceptable."
Regina Rossi Valentine wrote that at least four of the alleged incidents happened in the first half of 2007 when her husband was on light duty and under another command while recovering from a motorcycle injury.
She says another incident occurred after Valentine had transferred to Station 12 in the Seatack section.
Another officer was in charge at that time, she wrote.
In July, after nine hours and several witnesses, a personnel board upheld the demotion.
According to court documents, Valentine's attorney, Michael Imprevento, argued that the personnel board proceedings denied Valentine due process. Imprevento said the city's witnesses took up a good part of the testimony and Valentine was not allowed to present an adequate defense before the hearing ended.
"I won't get into any personnel issues because there is a right of confidentiality here," Senior City Attorney Christopher Boynton said. "Our position is that only a sliver of cases are appealable to city court."
The hearing is scheduled for February.
Duane Bourne, (757) 222-5150, duane.bourne@pilotonline.com
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What a bunch of bull
If they are going to hang Rob out to dry for this, then some other people need to be reprimanded according to this logic. Where is the discipline for the Battalion Chief, District Chief, and the Fire Chief? They are accountable for what goes on in their fire station. How can you expect a man who is out on leave to be responsible for something happening, and then be punished, when the folks who are ultimately in charge go unscathed? I think the Chiefs need to get an employee action plan to see if the are salvageable employees. Rob, my brother, fight on, fight hard, and I pray you get your bars back, back pay, satisfaction, and all that you can from this. Maybe even a huge settlement, and then tell the City where to stick it and retire. Set precedence.
Macn
You're thinking of Navy/military chain-of-command, where the Captain can be relieved for the ship running aground while he is asleep in his stateroom. I am not sure that the "chain of command/responsibility" runs quite that strictly in civilian organizations.
One person's hazing
One person's hazing is another's team building. Young and new to a job is usually the same as arrogant and naive which can be deadly in a career like firefighting. The long tradition of knocking people down a few notches and then building them back up has been around since prehistory because it works. Your first lesson about not being a dumb kid should not be at the cost of lives.
Let the man speak.
I believe this man may be guilty as charged or absolutely innocent or somewhere inbetween. It definately sounds like he did not get a fair shake to even defend himself so if court is what it will take, and he feels that a court hearing will clear his name and reputation, then it a sad state of affairs if the fire dept. or anyone else trys to stifle the truth from comming out. I was also a Marine back in the 60's and a member of organizations and professions that had their share of "hazing rituals" know to all, agreed to by all until one non-hacker crys to mommy. Lets hear ALL the facts if that is what the Captain wants. It's only fair.
not on my watch is the motto
even if he was at home with his wife at the time of the incidents, he is still at fault because with leadership comes responsibilty.
Well if the city Court will not hear the case
Civil Court probably will. If the city circles the wagons and denies Mr. Valentine the opportunity to have his side heard in their venue, he can always file a lawsuit. An impartial look at this might not be in the city's best interest. I agree on the zero tolerence policy for hazing-but lets target the actual culprits.
A policy of: "It's just easier to nail the guy in charge and call it a day," is an injustice across the board.
Only a Sliver of Cases
What is that supposed to mean, "only a sliver of cases are appealable to city court"? Sounds like baloney to me. If a case has merit, then it should be heard; if the man had a spotless record, was not present at the alleged offenses and asks only that his side be officially heard, then make his case one of those "sliver" cases.
I guess if the city attorney doesn't not want to have this case heard in the city courts, then the firefighter should appeal to a higher, more reasonable state court and make the city look really ridiculous.