Allen’s Disciplinary History Omitted Suspension

EL PASO — A disciplinary report for Interim Police Chief Greg Allen did include his most recent suspension — which occurred three years ago.

Last month, ABC-7 requested the complete disciplinary history of all the candidates that would be taken into consideration to replace outgoing Police Chief Richard Wiles.

“I was suspended in June of 2004 — June 14th to be exact –for an inappropriate word in an e-mail I put out in regards to the death of an officer I had worked with,” Allen said.

According to documents obtained Tuesday, Allen received a five-hour suspension from Wiles back in 2004.

Allen, who is African American, said the inappropriate word he used in the email was “token,” referring to him being one of the only African Americans on the force.

Wiles, who was surprised to find out the suspension was not disclosed to the media, said it was most likely a clerical error by the police department.

City Manager Joyce Wilson, who named Allen as the interim successor to Wiles, said her copy of the disciplinary report also did not include Allen’s most recent suspension.

Wilson said she was made aware of the suspension by the City Human Resources Department before placing Allen on the temporary position. “There was [a copy of the report] that was more current than the one on the profile … it was fairly insignificant and it did not deter my decision in any way,” she said.

Wilson said she is confident Allen is the right man for the position and that he has done a great job since taking over the police force.