The City of Ketchikan is facing a potential lawsuit from a police officer who is challenging how the city handles military leave.
The Ketchikan City Council has an executive session scheduled for Thursday to talk about a threatened lawsuit from Bryan Perez, who also serves in the National Guard.
Perez talked about the issues during the council’s May 3 meeting, during public comment.
“Some of these issues are pretty clear,” he said. “We’re talking about holiday pay, we’re talking about military leave, we’re talking about accrual of annual and sick leave while on military leave.”
Perez said he’s brought his concerns to city management and council members previously through emails, and received little response.
He said city employees on administrative leave receive full benefits while the city investigates a complaint against that employee. He questioned why military service wouldn’t receive the same consideration.
“I’ve been told at one point that we’re only going to give you what the law requires, and nothing more,” he said. “Is that supporting the service member?”
Perez has served overseas with the National Guard.
Also Thursday, the council will vote on a resolution honoring Deputy Police Chief Josh Dossett for his 25 years of service in the city police department.
Dossett is retiring effective May 21.
Thursday’s council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in city council chambers. Public comment will be heard at the start of the meeting.
