Interim Chief of Meridian Police Department Resigns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7OFB0mr6Wc

In Meridian, the controversy over leadership roles within the Meridian Police Department was addressed at the city council meeting on July 21.

At the city council meeting on Tuesday, July 21, Lt. Rita Jack with the Meridian Police Department addressed her grievances to the city council, sharing that she had been given a letter of intent to terminate, following her recent request to the civil service commission last month to open two investigations surrounding the Meridian Police Department.

Lieutenant Jack’s Attorney, Joseph Denson shared that they plan to file a notice of appeal within five days before the final decision has been made, stating the document did not provide sufficient evidence and the city stated that it is not providing additional comments at this time due it being a personnel issue.

“The substance of that it was insufficient okay, the code of the rule of the civil service says there should be ground and reason thereof and a clean statement of facts as to the basis for the termination. We have not yet received any factual basis for why my client has been terminated just a group code section of alleged violations. So, at this moment we really don’t know why my client has received that notice,” said Joseph Denson, Lt. Rita jack’s attorney.

Following Lt. Jack’s address to the council, many attendees of the meeting broke out into applause. Interim Chief Charles Coleman then had one of the attendees who clapped, Mr. Tommy Williams, escorted out from the meeting in handcuffs. After this incident occurred councilman Weston Lindemann asked Chief Coleman to address the reason behind the man being escorted out, and received no response of explanation from Chief Coleman.

This afternoon, it was announced by Mayor Percy Bland that Interim Chief Charles Coleman offered his resignation, and will no longer be seeking the permanent position as chief of police. Mayor Bland complimented Coleman on the leadership he has provided during his time serving as interim chief.

Interim Chief Charles Coleman will serve the remainder of his 90-day term and as of now it has not yet been determined who will serve in the leadership role for the Meridian Police Department.