MINDEN, La. – The appeal of a Minden police officer fired in August has been denied.

The Minden Fire and Police Civil Service Board voted unanimously Thursday afternoon to uphold the City Council’s decision to fire Lt. Jason Smith.

Smith was the second officer fired that month. The first one, Christopher Hammontree, was unsuccessful with his appeal on Oct. 12. He’s since taken his case to Webster District Court.

Smith’s attorney, Pam Breedlove, told the civil service board the disciplinary action and termination of her client evolved from a meeting between him, Police Chief Jared McIver and seven or eight other officers. During that meeting, which was videotaped, Smith brought up the circumstances related to a traffic stop of a Texas couple in which Hammontree assisted in January that u

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