August 5, 2025

Knoxville Police Officers File Lawsuit Over Pay Classification

News Summary

Three police officers in Knoxville have filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging misclassification under a recent payment structure that has resulted in diminished compensation. The suit raises concerns about an arbitrary tiered system affecting salaries for municipal employees, including law enforcement. One officer claims he has been unjustly placed in a lower pay step despite significant service. The lawsuit seeks reassessment of classifications and financial reimbursements, amid broader implications for other city employees facing similar grievances.

Knoxville – Three police officers in Knoxville have initiated a lawsuit against the city, claiming they have been misclassified under the city’s recent payment structure, which has led to a significant loss in compensation. The lawsuit was filed on July 22, 2025, and highlights the plaintiffs’ concerns over their placement within the tiered payment plan that was established for municipal employees in 2022, including law enforcement personnel.

The officers contend that they were assigned to “arbitrary” and lower “steps” of the new payment hierarchy, which differentiates salaries and benefits for civil servants based on their classification within the system. As part of this tiered plan, employees are categorized into various steps, each corresponding to a different salary level and benefits package.

Among the plaintiffs, Officer Barry Coffey argues that he should be classified at step 12 based on his 15 years of service as a sergeant; however, he was initially designated at step 2 and is currently at step 5. This situation has raised concerns not only for Coffey but also for at least 18 police sergeants and 16 lieutenants who have similarly claimed misclassification. The lawsuit asserts that there is no established process for addressing classification or compensation issues, further complicating concerns for the officers.

The plaintiffs are seeking to have their classifications reassessed and have also requested full disclosure of the formula the city utilized to determine their current standing. However, their requests have been denied by city officials. As part of their legal action, the officers are seeking reimbursement for attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses related to the lawsuit, as well as a preliminary injunction for reclassification and the payment of back wages.

In light of the ongoing case, the city has refrained from commenting on the lawsuit due to policies regarding discussions of pending litigation. The issues surrounding the payment structure have prompted other grievances as well, including a separate lawsuit from a group of firefighters who have criticized the same pay plan, prompting the city to file a motion to dismiss that case.

The current legal challenges come on the heels of another significant legal matter facing the Knoxville Police Department involving the case of Anthony Thompson Jr., whose family’s lawsuit against the department has been allowed to proceed. This lawsuit claims that officers failed to provide essential medical care after Thompson was shot. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that while the family’s claims regarding wrongful arrest and excessive force were rejected, they can pursue the case based solely on the alleged medical negligence.

Following the incident that led to Thompson’s death, public demonstrations took place in Knoxville, advocating for police accountability. The city’s district attorney previously concluded that the officers’ use of deadly force was justified, and no disciplinary actions have been taken against the officers involved in Thompson’s case.

In a related matter, the city has 90 days to decide whether to appeal the federal appeals court’s ruling, but a settlement is thought to be improbable, according to the family’s attorney. Additionally, the Knoxville Police Department’s new Deputy Chief, Joe McHale, is associated with a long-standing unresolved civil lawsuit originating from his tenure as police chief in Iowa. Although McHale is not personally accused of harassment, the lawsuit involves allegations that he inadequately managed a sexual harassment complaint involving a deputy chief under his supervision.

This Iowa case has faced procedural complications for six years and is currently under review by the Iowa Supreme Court. Despite the ongoing issues, Mayor Paul Noel expressed confidence in McHale’s hiring, citing a thorough vetting process and McHale’s extensive professional background in violence reduction strategies and leadership roles across various police departments.

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Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER

The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.

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