The expected vote following an executive session at the end of Tuesday’s City Council Meeting on Monroe Public Safety Director Keith Glass’s employment with the city did not materialize despite the fact that Monroe City Councilman Norman Garrett had called for a vote, or the resignation, of the Chief.
Mayor Greg Thompson announced on returning from an executive session that no action would be taken. He would not give any information on what took place during the executive session, except to say that at this time Keith Glass “remains as the Police Chief for the City of Monroe.” He referred any comment on whether or not the subject of Glass’s employment is likely to come up again to city council members.
Garrett and Councilman Jimmy Richardson declined to say whether or not the subject will come up again in the future. They also declined to say why police were called in to the executive session or who called for them. Garrett said he didn’t believe that the conversation got heated enough to require police intervention.
“I didn’t think there was any need for police,” Garrett said. “I’ve been in heated discussions before and that wasn’t heated.”
Glass declined to make any comment. He also declined to say why police were called in to the conference room where the executive session was taking place, as did Assistant Police Chief RV Watts.
The meeting began with a standing room only crowd, many of them wearing “I support Keith Glass T-shirts.” In the public comment sections, Mitch Alligood and Donna McMullen stood up and spoke in support of Glass.
“During his tenure as Monroe’s longest serving police chief, he has changed that department into a model of services and efficiency. Our city police department is a state-certified agency. These credentials require a level of oversight and transparency that other departments should strive to attain,” Alligood said. “Our police officers wear body cameras to enhance safety and accountability in all their encounters. MPD has the best equipment available and our officers get top notch training that far exceeds the minimum required by state law. Chief Glass has raised the bar on officer expectations.”
Alligood went on to say that there isn’t a person in the room who loves the City of Monroe more than the Chief, and that he cares for every citizen, irrespective of race, sex or social status and appreciates every officer who works for him.
“He has shed blood, sweat and tears for this city for 23 years. Tonight, rather than entertaining complaints, we should be here recognizing his accomplishments, such as his agency passing and maintaining its state certification this past week,” Alligood said.
Glass expressed his appreciation for the support from the audience before giving his department report during the meeting.
“I’m very humbled and appreciative of the folks that came here tonight. So thank you,” he said.
The fallout began over issues raised by Walton County Sheriff Joe Chapman during the Republican Primary campaign in which Glass had run against Chapman for the position of sheriff. Chapman handily won the Primary, but said at the end of it that he no longer felt comfortable working with Glass. He raised several issues, including the Chief’s pay while he was campaigning, the fact that he got a raise at the end of it, and questioned expenses Glass had charged to his city credit card. Garrett then asked for the issues to be discussed by the council and wanted a vote on the Chief’s continued employment with the city.
At this time it is not clear whether or not the matter has been settled or if some of the council members are going to ask for it to come back up. Garrett said he wasn’t prepared to comment at this time and referred questions to Richardson, who also declined to comment.