Shepherdsville Mayor Sherman Tinnell fired his chief of police, Ron Morris, on Friday. Morris says his firing is illegal, and his attorney tells WAVE 3 News that Morris wasn't given a clear reason for his termination. WAVE 3's Scott Harvey reports.
Chief Morris was given a one page letter Friday morning, informing him that he had been dismissed as the city's police chief, effective July 27th.
There have been disagreements between Chief Morris and Mayor Tinnell since Tinnell took office in January. There was a dispute over police officers having take-home vehicles, and this week, Chief Morris sent a letter asking the Attorney General to investigate the mayor. In that letter, he accuses the Tinnell of telling the city's treasurer to alter city employee time sheets.
Morris's attorney Thomas Clay, ways Tinnell's actions are illegal. "The mayor has not only acted in violation of the Civil Service Ordinance, but in violation of the Whistleblower Act."
We tried to contact Tinnell, both at City Hall and at his home in Shepherdsville, without success. Former mayor Joe Sohm told us Mayor Tinnell doesn't' have the authority to fire the police chief.
"When we instituted the ordinance, we felt like it was the best thing to do to make sure all employees were treated fairly," Sohm said. Anytime a new mayor is elected -- including myself -- then that mayor wouldn't have the ability to just hire and fire employees, whether they campaigned for him or not."Clay says they are going to fight Morris's dismissal.
"There is a grievance procedure where the merit board can reinstate him," Clay explained. "There is also injunctive relief available in court where a judge can say his termination was improper and order him reinstated with back pay."
Assistant Chief Doug Puckett has been appointed interim chief, until a replacement is found.