KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Three Knoxville police officers are suing the city, saying that they have been misclassified under the city's payment plan, leading to a loss in compensation.

In 2022, the city proposed a tiered payment plan for civil servants like police officers. Officers are placed in "steps," with different steps receiving different salaries and benefits. The lawsuit, filed on July 22, 2025, alleges that the three plaintiffs have been placed at "arbitrary" lower steps within the payment hierarchy established by the new plan. It claims that at least 18 police sergeants and 16 lieutenants have been similarly misclassified.

For example, the lawsuit alleges that plaintiff Barry Coffey should have been classified at step 12 but was instead initially placed at step 2 and is now at

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