Story Created:
Jun 1, 2010
Story Updated:
Jun 2, 2010
WEST ALLIS - A police dispatcher could lose her job over something she posted on Facebook.
Dana Kuchler was fired after 21 years as a dispatcher. Kuchler posted on her personal Facebook page that she was "addicted to Vicodin, Adderall, quality marijuana, MD 20/20 grape and absinthe."
Kuchler claims it was just a joke, but the West Allis Police Chief fired her. City attorney, Scott Post, says the chief "felt that the things that were said on Facebook reflected adversely on her individually and the police department and affected her ability to perform her duties as a dispatcher.”
An arbitrator overturned the firing in favor of a 30 day suspension. Now, West Allis is going to court to fire Kuchler.
Post says Kuchler has been the subject of disciplinary action before and termination is the next step according to the contract.
Kuchler and her union attorney declined to comment.
TODAYS TMJ4 spoke with residents in West Allis about the firing. Many believe the city is going too far.
"Shouldn’t be something you get fired for if it had nothing you do with your job," said Amber Matt.
Daniel Phillips argues, "she should be able to have her own personal life separate from being a dispatcher for the city.”
But Shannon Palmer says workers need to use common sense, especially in jobs that are held to a high standard. “When you’re in a business like that you shouldn’t have a Facebook page. You shouldn’t put your personal business out there like that," she said.
