news-record.com

GREENSBORO – Around 25 people gathered in front of police headquarters Thursday evening in protest of a departmental proceeding scheduled Friday that will determine if a suspended officer will keep his job.

Officer Ahmed Blake has been suspended without pay since January following charges that he assaulted two women, including his fiancée, during a night of heavy drinking at a private party held at the Greensboro Police Club on Jan. 17.

In March, he was convicted two counts of assault in Guilford County District Court, but has an appeal scheduled in Superior Court set to begin July 27. Through departmental procedure, he has been recommended for termination.

Those at the demonstration, which was organized by the Pulpit Forum, called to city leaders to postpone the administrative hearing until after the appeal is concluded.

“If he is acquitted of this, what sense does it make to terminate him?” the Rev. Nelson Johnson asked the small crowd.

Blake, who is assigned to the gang squad, has claimed he was discriminated against for speaking out against the squad unfairly targeting the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation and because of racial bias within the police department.

Police department leaders said neither claim has any merit.

Police Chief Tim Bellamy said Thursday night that Blake’s department hearing, which will come before an in has already been rescheduled once and will go on as planned.

He said similiar hearings have been held regardless of court proceedings in the past and the two matters are completely separate.

"We are giving him his due process as we would with any other employee," Bellamy said. "He's not being singled out from anyone else."

Bellamy said a final ruling on Blake's employment status should be final by Tuesday.