The news that Police Chief Paul Noel exchanged sexually charged text messages with a subordinate rocked Knoxville.
Councilmembers, who were notified of Noel's one-month suspension after a press conference Aug. 6, told me they were shocked and saddened. One described the news as a "gut punch." Noel, after all, was hired to clean up a department beset by racism and sexism and led by weak commanders.
Noel's offenses are fireable: The mayor's office commissioned an independent investigation of Noel's messages to patrol officer Jasmine Reed, and it identifies five standards in KPD's code of conduct that Noel violated: code of ethics, general responsibilities, unbecoming conduct, sexual misconduct and general misconduct.
Violations of three of the standards
are fireable offenses.
Who makes the decision? Only the mayor can discipline the police chief, according to the city charter.
Kincannon decided to suspend Noel for 30 days without pay (he makes $226,000 annually, so he'll be out nearly $19,000) and must undergo counseling and training (and Noel will cover the costs). After that, he'll return to his job.
Why not fire Noel? Kristin Farley, a spokesperson for Kincannon, said Noel's offenses are punishable up to termination. She shared several the mayor considered before suspending him:
- No complaints or harassment claims have been filed against Noel
- The report showed Noel engaged in no illegal activities
- Both parties testified there was flirtatious texting, but no physical relationship
- There was no evidence Noel showed any favoritism toward the officer
- Noel and the officer cooperated with the investigation
"In addition, Mayor Kincannon considered that Chief Noel has no other disciplinary actions in his personnel file," Farley said in an email. "He has been an effective and transformative leader who has helped reduce crime to record lows and get the department fully staffed. She believes that he can learn from this, and return to continue the impactful work underway at KPD."
Kincannon said Noel's behavior was unprofessional but not illegal.
"After carefully reviewing the investigative report, and I think it's important to note that there were no findings of illegal activity, I decided that a one-month suspension without pay was an appropriate consequence for this unprofessional behavior," Kincannon said at an Aug. 6 press conference. "I decided that based on what I think would be appropriate for a lower-ranking officer and then doubling that."
Does the city council have a say? The city council has no authority over the police chief. Councilmembers could make a statement condemning Noel if they wanted to, but it won't affect his standing.
Kincannon might not have time to replace Noel: Hiring a police chief is no easy task, and Kincannon's term is up next year. Hiring Noel in 2022 took nearly a year after his predecessor retired. Kincannon barely has that long left to serve, and the hiring process would distract from any remaining projects she wants to get over the finish line.
Conducting a well-run transparent search for a police chief requires many months and lots of interaction with the public. It's a process that can't be rushed and Kincannon realistically might not have the time to do it right before her term expires.
There's also the legitimate issue of whether Kincannon should make a hire of that magnitude for her the next mayor, who might have different views about what she or he wants from a police chief. Kincannon called hiring Noel the biggest decision of her tenure.
Police chief searches can be tricky, and Kincannon's last one was: Last time there was a police chief opening, Kincannon conducted a nationwide search rather than promoting someone internally. She also promised full transparency in the process, then conducted a secretive search using a third-party group.
Knox News then sued the city over Kincannon's refusal to release the names of the top candidates. The lawsuit is ongoing, but the city ultimately released the names under the pressure of the lawsuit.
A new police chief search would inevitably resurface many of the unsettled issues from the lawsuit, said Joel Christopher, Knox News executive editor. Kincannon, who had to answer questions under oath as part of the lawsuit, may not want to dive back into the dispute.
What's next? Noel told reporters Aug. 6 he'll reflect on what led to his suspension and complete the mandated counseling.
“When I return, I will do so with humility, a sense of responsibility and a commitment," Noel said. "I’m truly sorry I let down the community. I understand that forgiveness takes time. I will work every day.”
Fed up with flash flooding? Come share your experience
Knoxville officials are hosting four meetings to share updates on the stormwater system analysis city crews are conducting and to hear from property owners about their flooding experiences.
Recent flash floods revealed problems: "City rain gauges have recorded instances where more than an inch of rain deluges Knoxville in just 15 minutes," a city press release says. "As the storms roll through, that rainfall amount multiples. Localized flash flooding occurs."
Two of the meetings are this week:
- 6-8 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Dr. E.V. Davidson Community Center, 3124 Wilson Ave.
- 6-8 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Cecil Webb Community Center, 923 Baker Ave.
If you can't make it this week, here are next week's meetings:
- 6-8 p.m. Aug. 17 at Christenberry Community Center, 931 Oglewood Ave.
- 6-8 p.m. Aug. 20 at Deane Hill Recreation Center, 7414 Deane Hill Drive
5 things you may have missed
Here are five news highlights from last week:
I exclusively reported why Democrats may be the real winners in Knox County's latest elections
Tyler Whetstone reported how a Knoxville church got its name from 'King of the Underground Railroad'
Adam Sparks exclusively reported that Tennessee football signed deals with five nonconference game through 2031
Hayden Dunbar Evans reported William Johnson was freed by one president, invited to the White House by another
Devarrick Turner introduced KPD Assistant Chief David Powell, who is taking over for Chief Paul Noel
Allie Feinberg is the politics reporter for Knox News. Email: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com; Reddit: u/KnoxNewsAllie
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why didn't Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon fire Police Chief Paul Noel?
