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Decatur council shortens police chief application period amid protests and calls for transparency
Summary
The Decatur City Council voted to post the police chief vacancy with a two-week application window after weeks of controversy over the former chief’s handling of incidents. The move drew debate among councilmembers and sustained public comment calling for broader community oversight and transparency.
The Decatur City Council on an expedited vote approved a resolution to begin a shortened, two-week application period for the permanent police chief position, saying the city needs a prompt search after recent leadership turmoil.
The council passed Resolution 25-037 authorizing human resources to post the chief position with a 14-day application window. Councilmember Pepper moved the resolution and Councilmember Pike seconded; the council approved the measure in a roll call vote (Ladner: aye; Jackson: aye; McMasters: aye; Pepper: aye; Pike: aye). The resolution directs human resources to return potential interview dates to the council during the posting period.
Councilmember Pepper, who introduced the resolution, framed the move as corrective after “17 months” of what he described as leadership failures he said had left the city and its…
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