GORE, Okla. — The special meeting to determine the fate of Gore's assistant police chief Jose Guzman took less than five minutes.
The panel voted unanimously 5-0 in favor of termination after Guzman was arrested for assault and battery stemming from a tasing incident in June.
Before the meeting, 2 Works for You reporter Vincent Hill spoke with the town administrator to find out why Guzman was able to patrol while being investigated by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
"The circumstance basically did not change after the last meeting when they took no action," said town administrator Horace Lidley. "In our view, he's an active employee."
This all stems from an incident in June of this year when police were responding to a welfare check. On the bodycam video, Guzman tases a handcuffed Megan Wemhaner.
Following the incident Wemhaner complained to town officials.
"You run into a situation that you need to have it reviewed," Lidley said. "And so the best thing to do is just put him on leave with pay. Then come up and have a meeting. As soon as possible and let the board decide."
The board decided to take no action.
However, the Sequoyah District attorney thought the case should be investigated by the OSBI. They found Guzman violated the Gore Police Department's taser policy and filed assault and battery charges against him on Oct. 16.
Guzman turned himself in and after posting bond, he was back on duty.
Tonight, that changed with Guzman's termination.
And Wemhamer will face him one more time, whenever the case goes to trial.
"I'm ready for it to be over, and everybody's like its over tonight because he lost his job," Wemhaner said. "But that not the deal, like he can go get another job in another town and then that town has him to deal with.
Guzman could face up to 90 days in jail and $1000 fine, but she hopes he has learned something.
"I don't wish ill on him," Wemhaner said. "I hope that he sees what he did wrong. And that if you are coming to help somebody, help them. Especially when they need your help."
Members of the panel declined comment after the meeting. However, Lindley did want to emphasize Guzman was terminated "for the good of the service," but did not explain what that meant.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
