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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Murders at Crater Lake: The slaying of auto-parts reps in 1952 remains a mystery ... Our View: Law lets lobbyists keep public in the dark ... Britt commissions NY composer Michael Gordon to capture Crater Lake in sound ... Murders at Crater Lake: The slaying of auto-parts reps in 1952 remains a mystery ... Our View: Law lets lobbyists keep public in the dark ... Britt commissions NY composer Michael Gordon to capture Crater Lake in sound ... JUNCTION CITY Junction City police chief claims religious discrimination in attempted firing Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 19, 2015 at 2:00 AM By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 19, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News JUNCTION CITY — Junction City's police chief is accusing the city and a former official of discriminating against him due to his Christian beliefs. Chief Mark Chase claims the city and then-city administrator Melissa Bowers tried to remove him from his position because of the bias, The Register Guard reported Friday. Chase made the claims after officials investigated him and put him on paid administrative leave for more than five months. According to newly disclosed records related to a claim by Chase against the city, Chase said Bowers asked him whether he received direct communication from God that guides him in his leadership decisions. Chase told Bowers he is a man of faith but felt her questioning was improper. Chase also alleges that Bowers directed him to meet with other police chiefs to learn how to balance his religious beliefs with his job responsibilities. He claims the administrator placed him on leave after Chase told her to stop asking about his religion. Records show Chase filed the tort claim notice against the city in February. Bowers left the city that month, saying it was for personal reasons. Efforts by the Associated Press to reach Bowers on Saturday were unsuccessful. According to the released records, nine formal complaints made by members of the Police Department prompted two investigations of Chase and the department. One investigation found unsatisfactory leadership and management, dysfunctional interpersonal relations and a stressful office culture for employees. The city issued Chase a written reprimand and returned him to his job in February. At least one officer quit the day Chase returned. Chase has been working in Junction City since 2009. He previously worked at the Salem Police Department. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 19, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501