BEAUMONT, Texas — The City Council has rejected the city manager's recommendation for Troy Price as new police chief.
The council voted to rejected the recommendation with a vote of 4-3, Councilman Mike Getz told 12News. Another recommendation will be brought to the city council at a later
date.
Beaumont’s City Manager recommended Troy Price as the new police chief to replace longtime chief Jimmy Singletary.
Price was recommended Friday afternoon to be the next top cop in Beaumont following a second round
of interviews with Beaumont City Manager Kenneth Williams and other city officials.
Price, who is the deputy chief of the Vancouver Police Department in Washington state, beat three other finalists from among more than 50 applications received for the job.
Prior to the vote, the council heard from 23
community members, including retiring chief Singletary. Many residents expressed concern about the only local candidate, Assistant Chief Jason Plunkett.
"Does what I have matter? Does what the community have to say matter?" said one citizen, Daniel Ozen.
Much of that concern is connected to a 2009 lawsuit
involving a racial discrimination claim from a former police officer.
"We don't want a cheater or a liar, we don't want a racist or discrimination," said Ladonna Sherwood, a resident.
Now the city manager will have to issue another recommendation and the council will have to vote again.
"I'm not prepared to bring another name forward today on any other candidate," Williams said.
After today's public comment period, it seems finding common ground may be difficult.
"My opinion of who's the most qualified is obviously different
from yours, and that's why we're down here right now," said Councilman Taylor Neild.
Neild was joined by Mayor Roy West, Councilman Randy Feldschau and Councilman Mike Getz in rejecting Price's appointment.
Council members A.J. Turner, Audwin Samuel and Charles Durio approving of Williams' recommendation.
"I don't think a police chief is going to greatly impact our crime rate in Beaumont, TX. There is nobody in this room that denies we have a crime problem in Beaumont, but it's not the Beaumont Police Department's fault," Neild said.
"Can a police chief help prevent crime? Well I say that's part of his job. It's up to
him to come up with ways to prevent crime, to help lower the crime rate," said Durio. "My constituents, they want change. Fresh ideas to make changes."
"We certainly understand that for the city that this is a difficult issue," West said.
Getz tells 12News he has pledged to support a local candidate, whoever that may end up being.
For now, the city waits for the next recommendation from the city manager.
The council tells 12News there is no timetable for when the city manager will approach the council with a new recommendation.
