Posted on 04/23/2012 2:48:10 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
SANFORD, FL (RNN) - Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee Jr. announced Monday he would resign permanently from the city's police force, but the city commission is having none of it.
Lee said early Monday he would resign immediately and permanently, and the commission planned to discuss his severance package at 4 p.m. ET. However, the AP reported the commission voted 3-2 to reject Lee's resignation.
The majority voting in favor of the rejection cited the very public uproar over George Zimmerman's shooting and killing of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, 17, as the reason for their vote.
Lee resigned temporarily March 22 after the department was roundly criticized for not arresting Zimmerman.
"I'm aware that my role as the leader of this agency has become a distraction," Lee said at a press conference March 22. "It is my hope the process would move swiftly and thoroughly through the justice system."
An agenda on the City Commission's site said the group would discuss the "adoption of a resolution relating to the police department."
City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr. would not confirm to the Herald that the resolution had to do with Lee.
(Excerpt) Read more at wtvm.com ...
I think it’s nice that they’re expressing confidence in him, but he probably really wants to leave. He’s going to have to testify, he knows he’s going to be demonized, and I think he’d like to have a graceful exit that also does not give the race baiters any chance to attack his city as well.
Yes, with a 3-2 vote. This time someone switched their vote.
That was my thought - no severance package. I believe they were to work on what he is entitled to tonight and this came down instead.
Joe Paterno got one.
Must have been the mayor that switched his vote. There are four comisioners and the mayor, I think.
No, not good for them or him. They’re waiting for the results of an investigation by the Justice Department that aims to uncover any wrongdoing by the police chief. The resignation would have included four months of severence pay. An interim chief could be appointed, a move that the mayor approves of.
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