SOUTHPORT, Ind. -- Confusion has surrounded the position of Chief of Police in Southport after the mayor pushed the city's veteran chief out on Monday.
While now-former Police Chief Tom Vaughn argues Mayor Jim Cooney does not have the authority to do that, Cooney insists that power rests with him.
It all started after Cooney said that he requested a series of documents from Vaughn regarding the department’s reserve officers. Cooney claims that Vaughn refused to provide the documents, stating that officer personnel files are private. The mayor then demoted Vaugn from police chief to reserve officer.
More than 100 people gathered at Southport City Hall Wednesday night for a Board of Public Works and Safety meeting. During that tense and often heated meeting, dozens of people passionately spoke during public comment.
Many of those who spoke Wednesday night shared stories of Vaughn and his commitment to the community. Those who spoke also directly addressed the mayor, some even calling on him to either reinstate Vaughn as the chief or resign himself.
"You ungrateful son of a gun," said Judy Bick.
"We don't want you; we want you gone," another woman shouted.
Every person in attendance during the meeting spoke in support of Vaugn and said he helped lay the foundation for the city's police department.
"He inherited a department that was nothing," one man said. "We had nothing. We had nothing going on. He built this from the ground up. The mayor even acknowledged that. And now he's like, 'No, we got to let you go.'"
After reviewing state statutes and city ordinances, an attorney for the city told the Board of Public Works and Safety the mayor ultimately had the power to appoint and remove a police chief. There was still quite a bit of dispute during that meeting whether or not a previous city ordinance actually gave the Board of Public Works and Safety that authority.
"I feel my mayor has made a horrible mistake when it comes to this council and the Board of Public Works and Safety to make a decision to a man that has given his all to our community," said Dale Price, who serves on the board.
After more than an hour of public commentary, the meeting abruptly adjourned.
Dozens of people had called on Mayor Cooney to reinstate Vaughn as the chief. FOX59/CBS4 asked Cooney after the meeting if he planned to do so. The mayor said he would not answer any questions.
Several people attending the meeting said they felt like their voices had gone unheard.
"He just doesn't really care about the citizens of Southport," Kadie Newport said.
"He's set in his ways and his ego would never let him reinstate Tom," Bick said. "He will never try and get that done. He doesn't care what the rest of us think."
Vaughn said he was humbled by the community's support during the meeting. He said he is just hopeful he and the mayor will eventually reach an agreement.
"I'm hoping he'll make that phone call and maybe we can sit down and work something out," Vaughn said. "Then we can get back to work, because that's what this is all about, serving the community. I'm hoping that's what is going to happen."
On Thursday night at 7 p.m., the Southport City Council will hold a special meeting.