Cleveland deputy safety director fired over car accident

Jakimah Dye, former deputy safety director for the town of Cleveland, was relieved of her duties on April 12 after an investigation found she misled officials investigating a February car crash.

According to reports, the disaster occurred within the town of Dye vehicle and minors. A letter from interim chief safety officer Wayne Drummond said these aspects were taken into consideration in Dye’s dismissal following a pre-disciplinary hearing in March.

“During the course of the investigation, you admitted that you used a city vehicle for non-work-related purposes,” Drummond wrote within the letter. “It was also found that you were transporting several minors and did not have valid motor vehicle insurance to cover accident damage. It is further alleged that you made false, misleading and/or fraudulent statements during the investigation of this matter.”

Drummond continued: “As deputy director for budget and operations at the Department of Public Safety, I expect professionalism and integrity uncompromisingly. We serve society, so we must be good stewards of public trust.”

In addition to the violations Drummond listed within the letter, Dye violated several City of Cleveland workplace policies in addition to Civil Service Commission regulations.

As reported, Dye faced criticism after her city vehicle collided with 4 children within the vehicle after she missed a basketball game, days before the same incident forced current safety director Karrie Howard to resign from her position.

At the time of the unique report, Dye didn’t disclose that there have been children within the car, but she later told officials via email that she was unaware that having children in a car was a violation of city policy. “I was not aware of the children in car policy, but the fact is that there were children in the car,” Dye wrote. “The policy is clear. Children and out-of-town employees are not allowed in the vehicles. I now know this to be true and am disappointed in myself for not familiarizing myself with the policy(s) as a whole.”

In his termination letter, Drummond determined that Dye’s actions could reasonably be expected to have an opposed impact on the Cleveland Department of Public Safety.

“The Human Resources Department conducted an in-depth analysis. I have carefully reviewed the evidence incorporated into the record by reference, the submissions made at the hearing and the relevant rules, policies and procedures. I accept the findings and recommendations of the hearing officer.” – Drummond concluded. “We have found that you, Deputy Director Jakimah Dye, have violated numerous Human Resources Code of Conduct policies and procedures and Civil Service Commission policies.”

Drummond concluded: “Therefore, a policy is in place to make sure the integrity and accountability of members who’ve a responsibility to be present in the neighborhood. The Department of Public Safety cannot operate and pursue its goals professionally while tolerating failure to satisfy skilled expectations or being exposed to finish disregard for policy. The above conduct not only reasonably diminishes the respect of the Department of Public Safety within the eyes of the general public, but additionally violates the general public trust within the Department and has no place in any Department or Division of the City of Cleveland.