COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — A South Adams County fire chief retired in August after an outside investigation found he created a work environment "fraught with yelling," talked about employees' poor performance behind their backs, made inappropriate sexual comments about women, and allowed the EMS manager to tutor his son during work hours with the expectation he would be hired because "the Union owes [him]."
Then, in October, the City of Northglenn hired Kevin Vincel for a Risk Manager position in the HR department.
Documents obtained by 9NEWS say the South Adams County Fire District Board of Directors was made aware of concerns about the workplace environment in May. The board hired an outside investigator to conduct interviews and review documents.
Then-Chief Vincel was placed on leave on May 23.
After interviewing more than 20 current and former employees, in June, the outside investigation recommended termination.
"Given the risk Chief Vincel’s continued employment poses to the SACFD, including not only the risk of potential claims and liability, but also the risk of significant attrition of employees and on-going distrust and fear, the Investigation Committee recommends discipline is warranted in the form of termination," the Notice of Recommended Discipline said.
The findings in the investigation didn't stop the City of Northglenn from hiring Vincel. He began working in the city's HR department as a risk manager in October.
9NEWS asked the city if they knew about the investigation at South Adams County Fire District. A spokesperson said the city "was not aware of any information" we shared in our email.
A spokesperson for South Adams County Fire said the board president was contacted by someone with the City of Northglenn regarding Vincel, and the position for which Vincel was being considered was not mentioned or discussed.
According to the City of Northglenn spokesperson, the Risk Manager role handles "professional administrative and technical work." The position is responsible for performing a variety of duties in risk management, including preparing and coordinating responses in lawsuits.
One of the reasons the third party recommended termination was because, they said, Vincel's continued employment posed a risk of potential lawsuits.
The City of Northglenn said their hiring process includes an application, interview, background check, drug test and reference check. Vincel is an employee in good standing, according to the spokesperson. The city said they contacted four references.
While termination was recommended, the board's president told the department in an email in August that Vincel was retiring and assuming the role of Consultant to the Board to help with a smooth transition of his duties.
The email said Vincel would be working exclusively from home. The board president also shared the following message from Vincel regarding his retirement:
"It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from the position of Fire Chief as of August 10. I am proud of what I have done with you, and I wish you all the best. I will stay on as a consultant to the Board, and I will do what I can to ensure that this transition is smooth and that it only builds upon the good work we have done together."
Vincel responded to the recommended discipline in an eight-page letter to the board.
"I feel this is not a true and accurate review of my reputation and the actions I conduct in the workplace," he wrote in part. "Of course, former employees are not going to have very nice things to say regardless, and due to all of the drama that has been going on at HQ the last few months, it is easy to frame me as the one causing it all. I am left feeling like I am suffering retaliation for doing my job, holding employees to account, and enforcing the rules. That makes this feel like a wrongful termination."
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