By J.J. KINDRED
J.Kindred@theknoxvillejournal.com
Four Knox County Sheriff’s Office employees are filing a lawsuit against the county to be included in the Uniformed Officers Pension Plan (UOPP).
Martha Dooley, director of planning and development, Ashley Haynes, grants manager, Deborah Hodges, administrative services assistant supervisor, and finance director Allison Rogers were denied inclusion in the UOPP because they are classified as civilians.
According to the suit, which was obtained by The Knoxville Journal, the UOPP defines officer as “a sworn officer regularly employed by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office” and included executive officers.
In the suit, local attorney Dennis Francis notes that all four women should be considered executive officers of the sheriff’s office, and should be eligible for the pension.
The suit says Knox County Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones supports the women in their efforts to be included in the pension plan, and that they are all longtime employees who have each taken an oath of office and are bonded.
The suit also alleges the women may have been given disparate treatment because of their gender. It also asks the court to classify the women as officers, making them eligible for the pension plan.
After a number of delays and research conducted by the pension board’s attorneys, the board voted against the request last May.
The Sheriff’s Office referred all matters relating to the suit to the Knox County Law Director’s office. Neither representatives from that office or Francis were available for comment.
