Tarrant mayor releases 12-page investigation into police chief

TARRANT, Ala. (WBRC) – An ongoing lawsuit is rife over whether Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major should be placed on leave.

On Monday, a judge ruled on the chief’s back pay and whether the mayor can open an investigation into some cases.

Judge Pat Ballard ruled that Chief Major will receive his entire salary. According to his attorney, he will receive about $64,000.

The mayor placed the chief on unpaid administrative leave in February, a decision that attorneys for the major and the City Council argue the mayor lacks the authority to make. Mayor Newton said that’s because the chief was still performing official duties during his last administrative leave in November.

Debra Leo was assigned to investigate the police chief’s actions, which were discussed briefly at a previous City Council meeting.

Judge Ballard ruled that the mayor can release details of this investigation. The city council says it will examine the facts.

Lawyers representing Chief Major say they plan to fight back if it contains false information. They say he is ready to return to work and serve the city.

“There will be a further investigation into how Mayor Newton prepared the report and what we expect from the report,” Tarrant City Council attorney Wayne Morse said. “There was an incomplete investigation of the facts.”

“We have no position on whether or not the report should be made public, but we will defend it if it denigrates the chief or speaks inappropriately negatively about him,” said Scott Morro, Chief Major’s attorney.

The saga continued until Monday evening during a scheduled city council meeting…

Even though the investigation against the police chief has now become public, the city council appears to still be committed to firing him.

Newton again introduced the resolution to remove Major from his position.

There was a somewhat heated discussion in the council during the preliminary meeting. Tracie Threadford tells the mayor he will never get a “second” on the resolution.

“I think people want senior majors,” she said. “I think the council wants Head Major. I think if it doesn’t work out this time you should really let it go because it has been decided that we, the council, are the appointing authority for the senior major and will not let him go. What needs to happen – he needs to have control over the police and get rid of those who cause discontent.”

Councilman John Bryant introduced a resolution to create a new police department that would be run by the city council.

Mayor Newton asked questions about how it would work, what would happen to their current police officers if they had to go through the certification process again and more. None of these questions have been answered or addressed.

They plan to hold a work session in June to discuss further details.

Mayor Newton says Major will remain on administrative leave until July, adding that the council will then vote on his reinstatement.

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