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December 21, 2012

Firefighter awarded $420,000 after demotion

Capt. Jean Kidd was demoted after submitting a negative assessment of her chief

By FireRescue1 Staff

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis firefighter has been awarded $420,000 after a federal jury agreed that she was unfairly removed from her rank as a deputy chief.

Capt. Jean Kidd said that her demotion in 2009 cost her tens of thousands of dollars in lost salary and benefits and emotional distress, according to the Pioneer Press.

The fire chief at the time said that he demoted Capt. Kidd based on assessments that she was hard to work with. The decision to demote her, however, came after she submitted an anonymous and negative review of the chief's performance.

Capt. Kidd's attorney said that her First Amendment rights were violated.

A Minneapolis city attorney said the city is considering making an appeal to the decision

Comments

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Eileen Ross Friday, December 21, 2012 5:10:12 PM Good for her! When you have to work with someone who doesn't work up to par, you should not be punished for telling a higher authority.

Leon Myers Friday, December 21, 2012 6:25:07 PM Does she deserve almost half a million dollars for this?

James E Phillips Fri Dec 21 19:05:04 PST 2012 The court said it she got it I hope.He should be demoted Fired for knowingly doing it.

Jon Whiskey Fri Dec 21 20:41:34 PST 2012 well, may be she doesn't. But it's an incentive for other Chiefs not to do what this Chief did.

David Lamb Friday, December 21, 2012 6:34:37 PM if her assessment of the chief was anonymous...why is it relevent?

Rudy Hendrix Fri Dec 21 18:40:28 PST 2012 I am thinking that the Chief found out who posted it, and demoted that person... sometimes in departments anonymous is like no name be everyone knows who it was..

Friday, December 21, 2012 9:57:26 PM Is the whole story the fact that the FC felt that she was hard to work with because she had submitted an anonymous negative review of the FC's performance? If so then I don't understand why she was awarded the money. A FC should have the ability to promote and demote people who fit in with his/her management team. If the FC demoted her because of other reasons that are in turn illegal then screw the city and more power to her. I would like to know the whole story before saying good or bad.

Jody Williams Saturday, December 22, 2012 5:54:19 AM what is her education? what is her experience? how many years on the job? the chief is captain of his ship...he promotes officers most qualified he can work with...perhaps running an engine is her best fit?

Frank Avellino Saturday, December 22, 2012 7:47:37 AM Well, Get use to it... If states continue to move to a so call "Right to Work" state, people like the chief can do what he wants, when he wants, how he wants with no recourse. Now don't get me wrong, if you can't do the job a change should be made. But not for the color of your hair as an example. So, good for her for standing up for what's right. Isn't that what anyone should and can ask for.... to be treated fair and equal?