FeedsDeputy retires amid court flap
The deputy police chief abruptly retired Tuesday after it was revealed he lied under oath about his education in a court proceeding.
Deputy Chief Gregory Hill, 46, testified in a discrimination case last week that he had obtained a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Western Michigan University, when court evidence proved he has never attended the college.
Bill Lawrence, the city personnel director, said that he’s not sure when Hill’s retirement will take effect, but would not offer other, more specific comments about the abrupt departure.
Hill, when contacted Tuesday, apologized for the deception.
“I’m very upset about this, and I’m sorry,” he said. “Right now, I’m concerned about my family.”
The revelation came during a racial discrimination case brought against the city by 39-year-old Lt. Tom Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the department who alleged he was being passed over for promotion because he is a non-African American working in a predominantly black city. (Related Story.)
Hill, who was hired as a patrolman in 1980, said in front of a jury in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman that he had obtained the degree from Western by taking courses. He also said he was given additional credits for “life experiences,” or attending in-service training as a police officer.
But when attorney James K. Fett subpoenaed Hill’s college transcripts, university officials responded that no student with Hill’s name and date of birth ever attended the university.
Police Chief Greg Gaskin said he’s upset about the situation, but did not want to comment any further about the situation.
“I’m disappointed, and I’ll have a statement about it later, once I talk with the city manager (Joyce Parker).”
Hill and two other candidates — Diaz and Det. Lt. Kevin Smith, participated in oral interviews for the position in 2006. Parker, Gaskin and Lawrence interviewed each candidate. Lawrence testified in court that he had not checked into the information submitted by the candidates.
A bachelor’s degree was highly recommended as a qualification for the job. Of the three candidates, only Smith has a four-year degree. Diaz has an associates degree and working on a bachelor’s degree. Hill attended Eastern Michigan University in the 1980s. It is not clear whether he has an associates’ degree in addition to his certification from the police academy.
The level of education of Diaz and Hill was hotly debated throughout the six-day trial. Hill told jurors under oath that he worked hard to get the degree, after testimony that he was seen studying on work time was entered onto the record.
Attorney Michael Weaver, who represented the city, pointed out more than once in court that because Hill had a degree, he was a more desirable candidate than Diaz.
Weaver said in his closing arguments that the deception was a non-issue in terms of the discrimination claim. Fett said the situation showed that honesty was something that wasn’t valued at city hall.
Councilwoman DeArtriss Coleman-Richardson said she was “floored” about the situation.
“I am stunned to hear this; I’m just at a loss for words right now,” she said. “It’s a black eye for the city. But I always liked Greg.”
Mayor Hilliard Hampton did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Inkster is not the first community to cope with academic dishonesty.
In 2005, Sterling Heights City Manager Steve Duchane was fired for claiming he had a degree, when in fact he did not, after working for that municipality for 18 years.
