Former Blanchard Police Officer Speaks Out Over Lawsuit

Adrianna Iwasinski, News 9

BLANCHARD, Oklahoma – A former Blanchard police officer is speaking out about leaving the force and the city he swore to protect and serve. It all stems from a feud between police officers and the Blanchard police chief which led three former officers to sue the city.

Greg Alexander is a former officer of the year and was even trying to become Blanchard's next police chief. He did not get the job, but Alexander said this is not a case of sour grapes. It's about what city leaders did during that job interview, and afterwards, that has him taking legal action.

"I'm at a standstill. I can't move forward until the past dies," said Alexander.

The former police officer is suing the city of Blanchard for what he calls a violation of Title 11.

"I noticed there was a representative from the FOP, there was a city clerk, there was the city manager and then there was the vice mayor sitting in," said Alexander.

Alexander said under Oklahoma statutes, the vice mayor should not have been included in the interview process.

"I decided to go out on a ledge and stand up to the city to say ‘Look, this has to stop!'" Alexander said.

The city hired Tom Linn for the police chief position and Alexander said working under Linn got so bad, he decided to quit last November and made sure to record the conversation he had with Chief Linn when he took his resignation letter to the City of Blanchard and spoke to the chief.

It was during that meeting that the chief continually asked Alexander to drop the lawsuit against the city or else.

Chief Tom Linn: The city's position is to accept a resignation...They want you to drop suit.

Greg Alexander: The labor laws allow me to just quit my position and walk away.

Chief Tom Linn: Well if we, if we can't really come to an agreement, I need to give you our disciplinary action.

Greg Alexander: OK.

Chief Tom Linn: I'm not out to hurt ya. I'm trying to tell you that you can submit this. I've been instructed if you don't agree to release the city from the suit, that's your call.

Greg Alexander: Um, hum.

Chief Tom Linn: You can understand the city wanting to, you know, protect themselves.

Greg Alexander: Right…

Alexander said because of this, he's essentially been blackballed from any law enforcement job. All he wants is for his name to be cleared.

"This ain't right. This is them showing power because they didn't get what they wanted," Alexander said.

Right now Alexander is living in Texas. His trial against the City of Blanchard is set for next March.

News 9 did contact the City of Blanchard attorney, but he couldn't comment because of the pending lawsuit. He said the city would prove its case in court.

More:
- Blanchard Police Officer Claims Corruption, Intimidation Within Department
- Blanchard Police Chief Refutes Allegations of Coercion, Intimidation
- Blanchard City Attorney Backs Police Chief After Officers' Allegations