Feb. 16--JANESVILLE, WI-- Janesville Fire Department Chief Randy Banker defended himself Thursday night against a charge of malfeasance brought by a former employee during a hearing with the Janesville Police and Fire Commission.
Former Janesville fire inspector Donald "Jeff" Bowen, who also testified at the hearing, last year filed a complaint stating Banker, Lt. Paul VerHalen and Fire Marshal Sue North lied about Bowen to Janesville police after Bowen was removed from his volunteer position for an explorer post chartered by the department's union and Boy Scouts of America. VerHalen also testified Thursday night.
Bowen said he and the administration had disagreements about how to implement fire investigation programming during his time at the fire department. The department seemed to care only for inspections and not investigations, Bowen said.
In June 2016, Bowen got upset that he had to stay late at work and miss time set aside for his late wife. He got "verbal" and threw something under a table, possibly a lunch cooler, he said.
The next day, Bowen wrote a letter apologizing to North, his direct supervisor.
"I realized I was less than professional," Bowen said.
In January 2017, Janesville had its first fatal fire in about nine years. Bowen wrote and circulated a memo expressing his concerns about the investigation that followed, he said.
Bowen said Banker felt the memo was inappropriate and violated the chain of command. As a result, Bowen faced a verbal disciplinary hearing he thought unfair, he said.
"I felt it was poorly handled, lacked substance," Bowen said.
Bowen submitted his resignation in February and quit in April. He requested an exit interview with Banker, but Banker declined.
Instead, Bowen met with City Manager Mark Freitag. Before the exit interview, Bowen sent Freitag an email criticizing fire department administration, including Banker, as rushed, arrogant, ignorant and inarticulate.
Bowen sensed "animosity" from Banker because Banker wasn't receptive to his input, Bowen said.
After Bowen quit, Banker learned Bowen was still on the explorer post. Banker spoke to other staff and asked why the post would have someone who was unhappy with the department, its personnel and its operations teaching children, Banker said.
In August, VerHalen, union president, told Bowen he was off the explorer post. VerHalen came to the decision after consulting the rest of the union and Banker. Banker didn't direct VerHalen to terminate Bowen from the post, VerHalen and Banker said.
"It hurt the program. It showed no regard for the program," Bowen said of his removal. "I was disappointed."
Bowen alleged the decision was retaliation for what he said in his exit interview with Freitag. Bowen didn't accept he was terminated, claiming he was denied an investigation and due process.
That's when Banker got police involved.
Bowen alleges Banker falsely portrayed Bowen to police as mentally unstable and angry.
Banker said he never told police he had concerns about Bowen's mental health.
"I said I had concerns about his behavior," Banker said. "He seemed unhappy with everything at the end of his career, in my opinion."
The hearing will continue Tuesday, Feb. 27 with more witnesses, including Freitag and North.
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