Published: May 12, 2008 11:27 pm            

Grayson police chief notifies city of retirement

GRAYSON — Saying “petty politics” has become as important as protecting the public, Grayson Police Chief Keith Hill has written a letter to the city’s mayor announcing his intention to retire.

Hill had recently been demoted by Mayor George Steele from chief to patrolman, although Hill and the city await a judge’s ruling regarding that decision. In a letter dated Friday, Hill said his retirement from service would be effective as of Monday, the day city council members and the city attorney were scheduled to meet.

In his letter to Steele, Hill said he feels his retirement is the best option for the city and his own family.

“Please allow this letter to serve as a formal notification of my intent to retire from service as Grayson police chief and as an officer of the Grayson Police Department,” Hill wrote. “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve the people of Grayson over nearly 20 years and I had hoped to spend the remainder of my working years continuing to serve the community in which I live and which I love.

“However, it is now clear that regardless of Judge Phillip’s ultimate ruling regarding my reinstatement as chief of police, my continued presence on the police force, in any capacity, during the term of your administration will result in ongoing interference and continuing distraction. Such disruptions seriously hinder my efforts to ably perform my job duties and to properly serve the citizens of Grayson.

“Protecting the citizens of Grayson is a demanding and vital responsibility. In order to meet such responsibility any officer requires the support and confidence of the city administrators. When this support and confidence is withheld, and when petty politics becomes as important as protecting the citizenry, it becomes impossible for any officer to assure that the public’s trust is well served.

“The present controversy, and the likelihood that further controversy lays ahead, is also causing significant stress and anxiety on the members of my immediate family. I believe that it is my obligation as a husband and a father to remove the sources of such worry and consternation from their lives and that I place their interests above my own. Therefore I believe it would benefit my family if I retire from service and put this controversy behind me.”

Hill said he will make arrangements for the return of city property in his possession and to retrieve personal items from city property.

Steele was not available to respond to Hill’s letter before Monday evening’s city council meeting.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.

        

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