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A veteran Williamsport Bureau of Police lieutentant claims in a federal lawsuit that he was passed over for promotions because he filed complaints on behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 29 against anti-union activity.
Lt. Steven Helm, supervisor of daywatch, this week asserted in the complaint in U.S. Middle District Court his rights to free speech were violated. The lawsuit identified Mayor Derek Slaughter, former Mayor Gabriel J. Campana and the City of Williamsport as defendants.
Slaughter, who returned a telephone call for comment, said any statements regarding the lawsuit would need to come from J. David Smith or Austin White, the city solicitors and firm of McCormick Law.
Campana said when he was mayor he would speak first to the city solicitor and as mayor had the right to choose who believed to be the most appropriate for the position.
Helm contended that he was not given promotions because he filed lawsuits, which his attorney, Michael Zicolello, said was a retaliatory action because of his years of experience and leadership roles.
Reached by telephone Friday, Helm deferred any comment on the lawsuit to his attorney.
In prior lawsuits against the city and their supervisors Helm attempted to redress violations of their Constitutional rights and said it was a motivating factor in "retaliatory acts of refusing to consider him for positions of assistant chief and/or captain."
Helm was president of the police union, serving as its highest ranking union
representative of the city police department.
He filed suit initially on April 13, 2017, a three-count federal civil rights complaint.
In it, Helm asserted, among other issues, a first amendment Freedom of Association Retaliation Claim, which arose from Helm's activities as president on behalf of the police union.
On Nov. 16, 2018, Helm filed a one-count civil rights complaint.
In June 2019, Helm entered into a settlement agreement with the city in relation to the complaints, which were dismissed by the parties.
Helm's lawsuit outlines what he believed to be ongoing dismissals of his attempts to be promoted within the department.
In the fall of 2018, city Police Chief David Young announced his intention to retire. Young was a selection by Campana, an experienced state police commander who received accolades from City Council when he applied for the position.
In December, 2018, Campana began discussions with Marvin "Doc" Miller, a former city police officer, regarding Miller's thoughts on the open police chief position.
Miller advised Campana that it was obvious that it should be Helm because of his years in the department, his experience in leadership roles and his reputation as a respected officer in the department.
Helm asserted that Campana did not promote him because Helm had filed lawsuits against the city.
Campana offered the position to Miller, who then told the former mayor he wanted Helm to be assistant chief because of his qualifications.
Campana did not agree to those terms.
In January, 2019, Damon Hagan was appointed by Campana as chief. Hagan also advocated for Helm be appointed to assistant chief.
Campana refused to allow Helm to be promoted.
That same month Aaron LeVan was promoted by Campana to the assistant chief position.
In September of that year, LeVan stepped down as assistant chief, after which Hagan pushed for the promotion of Helm to assistant chief.
Campana refused those terms. On Sept. 10 of that year, Mark Sechrist was promoted to assistant chief.
Sechrist had served the department as a patrolman since 1991.
On Jan. 6, 2020, Slaughter was sworn into office. In the fall of 2020, Hagan began soliciting letters of interest and resumes to replace Sechrist, who was going to retire.
Hagan also announced that he intended to seek approval to promote a captain of detectives, which would be an additional police administration position.
During many conversations and meetings between Helm and Hagan, Hagan advised Helm that he was his choice to replace Sechrist as assistant chief.
Six officers applied, to include Helm, Lt. Fred Miller, Lt. Marlin Smith, Lt. Jason Bolt, Sgt. Jody Miller and Agent Justin Snyder.
With the exception of Snyder and Bolt, who had recently been promoted to lieutenant on Aug. 17, 2020, the candidates had extensive supervisory experience.
In October, 2020, Bolt resigned from his position as lieutenant and requested to return to the ranks as an agent.
In December, 2020, it was known that Smith would be promoted to assistant chief and Snyder would be promoted as captain of detectives.
Lt. Fred Miller had been performing supervisory duties with respect to detectives but was passed over for the position in favor of a less experienced candidate.
Prior to the official announcement of the promotions, Helm was summoned to a conference room with Hagan and informed he was being passed over for promotion.
One week later, Helm was informed Slaughter would not permit the promotion.
Smith announced his intention to to accept the promotion to assistant chief and to withdraw his name.
When that took place, the open position of assistant chief was changed to captain of the patrol division and it altered the minimum qualifications for Bolt, who now met them.
Helm and Fred Miller stated they believed the union's status and activities were important to protect the interest of police officers and the public
On or about June 14, 2019, Helm entered into a settlement agreement with the city regarding these lawsuits, which were subsequently dismissed.
Helm was not promoted to the position of chief by Campana and Helm, Lt. Fred Miller and Sgt. Jody Miller were passed over for the promotion of captain of the patrol division by Slaughter.
Instead, Slaughter appointed a less-experienced agent to the position, according to the lawsuit.