By Erica Thomas, managing editor
SPRINGVILLE — When new Springville Mayor Dave Thomas was preparing to take office, he said he would make a lot of changes. Some of those changes are already being seen.
Thomas said he asked four police officers to resign from the force, on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
“They were given an opportunity to offer their letters of resignation,” Thomas said. “One did so, the other remaining three have not yet decided if they are going to submit their letters.”
The mayor assures the public that he made the decision with a valid cause but he was unable to specify what the cause was for each officer.
“There’s a lot of speculation about whether there was cause or about what was going on and I can’t give details on personal, personnel issues but they were all for-cause and it was clearly spelled out in a city policy,” Thomas said.
Thomas said he spoke with new Police Chief Wayne Walton ahead of meetings with the officers. In fact, his original plan was to ask for resignations from five officers, but he said Chief Walton made a case to keep the fifth officer.
“I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed and we are making sure everything is done properly,” Thomas added. “As I made my case this morning, the chief expressed his support and appreciation in the meeting.”
There will be two immediate openings for full-time police officers in the city of Springville.