Sevey out as police chief

Nacogdoches City Council emerged from approximately an hour of closed session Tuesday with an agreement to end longtime Police Chief Jim Sevey’s service with the city.

Details of his departure remained sparse as the week ended.

“We can’t comment on this, because it’s an ongoing negotiation,” City Attorney Steven Kirkland said Friday.

Discussion about personnel matters is among a short list of topics governmental bodies are allowed by law to discuss in closed meetings, but no action can be taken in private.

Back in open session on Tuesday, the Nacogdoches council authorized city staff to offer a separation agreement with Sevey that provides six months salary and health benefits. The unanimous vote came with little discussion.

“I also would like to thank Chief Sevey for his (more than) 16 years of service to the City of Nacogdoches,” said Councilwoman Kathleen Belanger, who made the motion to approve the agreement.

Residents acquainted with Sevey had much more to say. Several appeared during public comment to express anger and confusion at the council’s decision.

“It was rumored or sort of an open secret over the last two years that certain people wanted to change the police chief,” Brad Maule said. “To see it happen is really heartbreaking to me. He’s a good man, and I don’t think people change over time.”

An advocate for community-oriented policing, Sevey joined the Nacogdoches police force in 2005.

“He’s done nothing but bend over backwards for the City of Nacogdoches, not only with the police department but with the neighborhoods all around,” said Bill Clark, a member of the police department’s community volunteer team begun by Sevey and then-Sgt. Greg Sowell who is now county judge.

“He has really championed the neighborhood watch programs.

If there is a conflict with city administration, Clark said, “they’re the ones who need to be packing their suitcases, not Jim.”

Sevey did not return a call for comment by press time on Friday.