Councilwoman Jamelle McKenzie and the city of College Park are pushing back against allegations in a federal lawsuit that she improperly influenced a decision to fire former Police Chief Connie Rogers.
Rogers resigned in December after learning of her impending termination. She is suing College Park, alleging discrimination based on her sexual orientation and retaliation under the Georgia Whistleblower Act.
The lawsuit also alleges that McKenzie asked Rogers to issue arrest warrants against the councilwoman’s political enemies. The lawsuit came weeks after a separate legal dispute in which McKenzie sought a stalking protective order against College Park resident Allyson Blue, an outspoken critic of the councilwoman.
McKenzie denies all allegations of improper conduct and maintains that she has a right to turn to law enforcement if she feels harassed or threatened. She also denies having any involvement in Rogers’ departure.
“I had absolutely nothing to do with Connie Rogers’ resignation, never sought her termination, never discriminated against her, and never used my elected position to interfere with law enforcement or personnel decisions,” McKenzie said in a statement. “These allegations are false, misleading, and deeply troubling.”
Rogers’ complaint states: “In May 2024, Councilwoman McKenzie requested the arrest of an individual she had accused of harassment through social media. The police department investigated the accusation and determined that that individual had not violated the law.”
The lawsuit adds that Councilman Roderick Gay later told Rogers that McKenzie believed the chief “had failed to meet her expectations.”
The city also disputes Rogers’ claims.
“In particular, the city categorically disputes the accusations concerning Ward I Councilwoman Jamelle McKenzie and rejects the assertion that she orchestrated, directed, or otherwise improperly influenced the personnel decision at issue,” a College Park statement reads.
In McKenzie’s separate dispute with Blue, a Fulton County Superior Court judge dismissed the temporary protective order following a Sept. 28 hearing. Afterward, Blue’s attorney, James Walker, said he believed McKenzie had weaponized the stalking statute for her own purposes.
Current Police Chief Sharis McCrary served Blue with the temporary protective order on Sept. 21 as she arrived for a city council meeting. Blue subsequently left council chambers.
Police bodycam footage from two days before the hearing shows McKenzie stating that a full protective order would prevent Blue from attending council meetings or other events where the councilwoman was present.
Katie Corkren, a Georgia Senate candidate and citizen activist, is amending a lawsuit against College Park to include Blue’s experience. That lawsuit cites violations of the Georgia Open Meetings Act.
Blue has said that she filed an ethics complaint against McKenzie.
“What I see is a disturbing pattern of intimidation, and I refuse to quietly accept it,” Blue posted on the Speak Up College Park Facebook page.
McKenzie said that a clip of the bodycam footage of her, which is shared on Speak Up College Park, is misleading and taken out of context. She said her concerns about Blue’s conduct, including social media activity and communications, contributed to her fear for personal safety.
Rogers’ lawsuit also details allegations about McKenzie’s involvement in plans for Roger’s firing.
According to the lawsuit, then-Deputy Chief McCrary informed Rogers on Dec. 9, 2025, that the city planned to terminate her employment. McCrary allegedly told Rogers that an outside agency would escort her from the premises at McKenzie’s request.
“I did not initiate, arrange, or direct such an action,” McKenzie said Monday. “I also dispute the allegation attributed to Chief Sharis McCrary and reject any suggestion that she was acting on my instructions. Chief McCrary should not have statements or actions falsely attributed to her to support a narrative involving me.”
