KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A third person has alleged inappropriate workplace conduct against suspended Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety chief Vernon Coakley through an email sent to the city of Kalamazoo.
In a report on WWMT, the individual emailed the city one day after Coakley was placed on administrative leave, according to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
The first complaint was filed against the suspended chief on July 11, with the second complaint filed on August 15.
According to employment records from 2020, during his first full year as chief, Coakley ranked in the category of a “role model” with an evaluation score of 4.2 out 5.0 during his annual 2021 performance review.
He was named the department’s first Black chief in September of 2020 and officially sworn in the following month, replacing then Chief Karianne Thomas, who was fired. Kalamazoo City officials had said initially that Thomas had resigned.
