Council vote leaves police department shorthanded

The Adrian Board of Aldermen voted to not offer a full time position to Leslie Pope at the end of her probation. Police Chief Charles Chapman made the recommendation in a 25-minute closed session during the board’s regular meeting. Mayor Cindy Kendrick declined to give specific reasons for the board’s decision.

Earlier in the meeting, the board voted to hire a third full-time officer. But, with Pope off duty, the police force only has one full time officer. The council voted to hire the third officer and buy a new police car over the objections of Alderman Hank Stark, who argued that the town does not need 24-hour police protection.