Fired Police Chief, Whistleblower Keeps Win as Appeal Denied

The city of Celina, Texas, lost a bid to appeal a ruling in favor of a fired former police chief who alleged that his report of criminal activity led to his termination, with the Texas Supreme Court denying its petition for review Friday.

The Texas Court of Appeals, Fifth District in April 2022 rejected the city’s argument that internal reports don’t qualify for the Whistleblower Act’s protection and that the statute has a geographical requirement limiting the jurisdiction to a specific law enforcement authority.

Shea Scott’s internal report is protected because the Celina police department has an outward law enforcement ...