NAACP sends Mayor Kelly letter on police as he holds meeting with black clergy

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Fallout continues to come in from the resignation and indictment of former Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy.

The indictment of former Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy continues to be an issue Chattanooga City Hall is remaining quiet on. 

Former Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy. Mugshot courtesy of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Murphy was indicted earlier this week by a Hamilton County Grand Jury on 17 different counts related to falsifying information on government documents according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

We dug up property records from Fulton County in Atlanta that showed she still owned a home there, while not owning property here.

She had sent in her resignation to Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly on Wednesday.

Despite no public statements since receiving Murphy’s resignation on Wednesday, Mayor Kelly and staff are talking with some community leaders about the Murphy situation.

News 12 received a tip Friday morning that a meeting was being held at City Hall between the Mayor and black faith leaders in the city.

The mayor’s staff did confirm this indeed was taking this place Friday morning.

However, neither the public nor media were allowed inside of the meeting when we showed up to City Hall on Friday.

We did wait outside the Mayor’s Office for comments from attendees. However, a staffer approached us to tell us that, “Nobody is going to give you an interview today, just as a heads up.”

A different source told us that attendees had left the meeting through another exit to avoid our questions.

Meanwhile, the Chattanooga NAACP has sent Mayor Kelly a letter asking for more community involvement in the selection process for the next police chief.

It reads as follows:

“June 27, 2024

Honorable Tim Kelly

Mayor, City of Chattanooga

101 E. 11th Street

Chattanooga, TN. 37402

Dear Mayor Kelly:

We have been made aware of the untimely resignation of Celeste Murphy as Chief of the Chattanooga Police Department. While the circumstances which prompted this action can be viewed as unfortunate, we believe that at this time the most prudent and practical measure that can be undertaken is to announce a selection process for a new chief of police. We believe that this process should be one in which the residents and citizens of Chattanooga may be afforded the opportunity to offer their recommendations and insights into the selection of the next chief of police.

In viewing such approaches that have taken place across the country, including Chattanooga’s own process which occurred in 2017, we are calling for a “police chief public survey” to be immediately disseminated for wholesale community feedback. The results should be publicly released in order that the citizens can identify the characteristics, qualities, experiences, and priorities required for the next chief law enforcement official prior to the recommendation and approval of a permanent chief of police.

Likewise, there are numerous issues that we believe need greater in-depth analysis and evaluation to provide meaningful solutions and positive outcomes for all citizens. In short, addressing racial disparities in pretextual stops; data collection; training; community-oriented policing strategies; and community-based violence prevention are just a few key areas we believe merits greater focus and community engagement at this juncture.

Furthermore, we do believe annual community surveys, that are strictly tailored to receive citizen feedback of law enforcement policies and practices, should be conducted. These surveys will provide an earnest and ample dialogue to aid in assessment and evaluation processes undertaken by the department each year. Further these surveys will help ensure public trust and confidence.

The Chattanooga Hamilton County NAACP looks forward to participating in this important and vital selection process going forward.

Yours Respectfully,

Reverend Ann Jones Pierre

President, Chattanooga Hamilton County NAACP

P.O. Box 3164 Chattanooga, TN 37404″

Reverend Pierre cited surveys such as this one currently being conducted in Louisville, Kentucky for their ongoing police chief search.

She also referenced policy recommendations from the Council on Policing Reforms on various issues within policing.

We have heard that a group of black clergies will be speaking on this situation next week.

It is unclear whether that has any connection to Friday morning’s meeting.