UPDATE NO 1 Problems With Dothan Police Lt. Keith Gray

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 11854

Posted by: RStokes
thehoustonnewspaper@yahoo.com
334-790-1729
Date: Nov 03 2009 8:36 AM

DOTHAN:    Dothan Police Lt. Keith Gray is a problem.  This morning some of his leadership skills ( or lack thereof ) were exhibited.

Today media arrived on the scene of a structure fire. We were told that we had to stay down the street behind the police car perimeter’s. When we asked if we could go across the street we were told no.

The officer is acting under the instructions of Dothan Police Lt. Keith Gray. I personally have spoken with Gray over issues with his shift before. What he told me and what happens are different.

Now understand, there was a house under construction across the street from the residence where there was a fire. They were letting the construction workers come and go. The house was not engulfed with fire, just smoke.

One media was escorted by a Fire Captain and was told by Dothan Police Sgt. Garret the media had to leave.

I have been told that Lt. Gray stands up in the shift briefing and bashes the media. This has been a long standing situation. In fact, Lt. Gray has been critical of me in the command staff briefing over the years. But that was in an effort to look good to Chief Powell.

I spoke with Interim Chief Larry Draughon. He is going to have a conference with Gray. Chief Draughon said he was not aware of the issue. Draughon said he would address the issue.

Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams was on the scene. He never came over to the media, He did speak with Lt. Gray and Sgt. Garrett. But he never came over to the media.

I called Lt. Gray on his city cell phone. He never called me back. He did, as he walked up on the scene, tell me he would get back with me. I got tired of waiting. So I left.

Gray applied for Police Chief. We understand he got a letter that he was not being considered. One good move on behalf of the City Manager.

Hey Chief, the landfill needs a Police Supervisor! Gray would be a good fit.

 UPDATE NO 1

It is 9:13 AM. Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams has called me and addressing the issues.

NOTE FROM RICKEY - the Fire Department Public Information Officer escorted a member of the media into the scene and was told by Police he could not bring the media in. Fire scenes are scene of the Fire Department and not the Police Department).

If your remember the article about issues with a drunk driver and the person calling 911. Well it was lt. Gray the man spoke with. He had to call twice to get Gray to call him. The man told me Gray was  rude and derrogatory of the Houston County Sheriff Department. Gray, according to the man who called me, said Gray was steadlily trying to put the blame on the Sheriff Department.

Chief Draughon, when Chief Powell was here, Gray tried the same thing. I went to Chief Powell and explained what Gray was doing on scene. Chief Powell said that is the first he heard about the policy, and he was the Chief.

Today, it was the first you heard about the policy, and you are Chief. Seems to me that Lt. gray is trying to undermine your authority.

If you do  not get a hold of him he will go further trying to be the Chief and cause you issues.

Again, the landfill seems to be a good fit!

Gray has yet to return my call. He is at the Police Department right now.

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