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GREENSBORO — The City Council will hold a special meeting today to discuss whether to release more information about the suspension of three police officers Dec. 18.

Sgt. A.S. Wallace, 43; Officer J.O. LeGrand, 37; and Officer C.S. Stevens, 42, have been suspended with pay since the department began a "criminal and administrative investigation" into accusations that the officers were involved in an assault.

At 4 p.m., the council will meet to decide whether the city can release more information about the incident that spawned the investigation.

"What I just want is for everybody to hear the same information," Mayor Yvonne Johnson said. "I want us to know as much as possible."

Johnson said she wanted a report from City Manager Mitchell Johnson or police Chief Tim Bellamy explaining what happened and what is being done with as much information as the law will allow.

Councilwoman Sandra Anderson Groat said she looks forward to the opportunity for the council to learn what happened and decide what can rightfully be made public.

Although she acknowledged that investigative and personnel information must often be shielded to protect an individual's rights, "The best interest of the people is to know what's going on," she said.

The police department and city legal staff say details of the alleged assault that are normally public — including the date, time, location and nature of the alleged assault — are protected under personnel laws because of the administrative investigation.

But state statutes allow the council to vote to override that rule if the information is in the best interest of the public.

City officials have not said whether the public will get an opportunity to speak at the meeting.

Typically, called meetings do not include a public-comment period, although that rule can be waived.

No agenda was available Wednesday.

Councilwoman Mary Rakestraw said she's been getting calls about the situation. Even at her church, where politics is normally taboo, people are voicing their concerns, Rakestraw said.

"Of course, I understand the confidentiality of the personnel issues," she said. "But what can be released to the public, I want the public to know."

Staff writer Jennifer Fernandez contributed.

Contact Sonja Elmquist at 373-7090 or sonja.elmquist@news-record.com