Talladega police officer fired over racist Facebook posts lays out his defense

TALLADEGA -- Documents filed with the Talladega Civil Service Board show that former police officer Joel Husk plans to use the same defense he used in both of his two previous appeals, plus one additional defense.

Husk was fired in November after two memes described as racist appeared on his Facebook page. He argues that the posts were not intended to be public, that he has a guaranteed right to free speech and that other people, particularly black officers, have not been disciplined for insensitive posts.

The board met briefly Monday morning, determined that the appeal was filed in a timely manner and that the board had the authority to hear the case. The evidentiary portion of the case will be Jan. 23, starting at 9 a.m. in the council chamber at City Hall. The hearing, which is expected to take a day, is open to the public.

Husk was fired Nov. 16 by City Manager Patrick Bryant. Bryant, Human Resources Director Taylor Drummond and Police Chief Jason Busby heard Husk’s first appeal on Nov. 23 and a second appeal Dec. 13; the firing was upheld after each hearing.

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