Monroeville police chief removed "without cause"
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K. Doug Cole was removed "without cause" from his position as police chief of the Monroeville Police Department, effective at 4:30 p.m. today, per a press release from interim municipal manager Lynette McKinney.
Assistant Chief Steven Pascarella will be acting chief until Ms. McKinney appoints a permanent chief that is approved by council, she said.
This comes two days after Jeffrey Silka resigned from his position as municipal manager after he was issued an ultimatum by members of council earlier this month: Remove Chief Cole, or we'll remove you.
Council approved a $67,592 severance package for Mr. Silka, and appointed Ms. McKinney as interim municipal manager at the special meeting Wednesday.
Councilman Jim Johns said he found out about the removal of Mr. Cole late Friday evening.
"I can't believe what they just did," he said. "It's absolutely ludicrous."
Mr. Johns said he would do "everything I can to rectify the situation" and urged the community to attend the 7 p.m. Feb. 7 council meeting.
The press release cited the Monroeville Home Rule Charter, Article VII, Section 702 (a), "the Municipal Manager shall: Appoint, suspend or remove all municipal employees, except as otherwise provided by law or this Charter and report any such action at the next business meeting of Council."
First Published February 1, 2013 9:41 pm
