OMAHA, Neb.
--
An Omaha fire captain has been banned from all city of Omaha buildings because of allegations that he threatened his boss, the Omaha fire chief.
KETV NewsWatch 7 has obtained the letter, which was issued by the city to Capt. John Gruttemeyer in late October.
According to the letter, Gruttemeyer allegedly said he would kill Chief Mike McDonnell if McDonnell messed with him. The alleged threat contained a expletive.
Gruttemeyer is a 22-year veteran of the fire department.
In September, KETV interviewed Gruttemeyer after he said he contacted various nonprofit groups and offered them help from firefighters.
At the time, the city council had decided to let the fire department collect for the Muscular Dystrophy Association while firefighters were on the clock.
The city's acting labor director has banned Gruttemeyer from the fire department headquarters and all city buildings until Gruttemeyer is instructed otherwise. City buildings include City Hall, fire stations and libraries.
"Gruttemeyer will not be allowed access unless given permission by the labor relations director," said Omaha fire Capt. Jim Gentile. He declined to answer whether McDonnell was taking any extra safety precautions.
Gruttemeyer said on Wednesday evening, "I am entirely innocent. This is retaliatory on the part of the fire department and union." He said that the allegations are "bogus."
The labor director informed Gruttemeyer that he would be investigated under terms spelled out in the city's workplace violence protection policy. The policy says that making threats or exhibiting threatening behavior are prohibited in the workplace.
Gruttemeyer is currently on paid medical leave. The Omaha city attorney said disciplinary actions could include termination.
Omaha Fire Capt. Banned From City Buildings
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2 comments postedAfter a detailed
After a detailed investigation if the Capt. is found to be guilty of the threat he should be fired. If innocent then those who broght the bogus charge should be brought up on charges.
Both sides taking it a little
Both sides taking it a little too far. How much more spoiled can the career firefighters be and how much more posturing like a victim hiding behind some rules can the chief and the city be?
We need to eliminate fire unions. There is no need for them anymore with the labor laws so protective now. Having a union/lobby bullying to get everything possible, irregardless of other city entities needs, is not a true cooperative. Every request now has to be a fight, ends up a fight so is it any wonder that these fire officers get across from one another. I mean the natural order is, if you fight the county, state, feds, city , unions and public, you naturally will begin to fight with each other to get what you want.
Now go and tell the captain he can't come into the house until he apologizes and plays nice with the other kid officers.
How did this issue get any notoriety at all?