UPDATE: Varnell City Mayor vetos decision to dissolve police department

VARNELL, Georgia (WDEF) -Varnell Mayor Anthony Hulsey says the city council may have acted hastily in dissolving the city Police department.

That action last week infuriated many of the residents…especially the suspension of Chief Lyle Grant.

At a meeting this afternoon, both men fielded questions from townspeople, and Hulsey said he understands the council was required by law to hold public meetings before they could get rid of the police department.

The city attorney stated that proper notice was not given to the public, and explained the motion to dissolve the city police department was out of order.

The Varnell City Mayor decided to veto the council’s decision to get rid of the police department. Though, the veto can still be overridden by the council.

This was done as a resolution. Ordinances of this magnitude must be done in writing to notify the public.

According to Varnell’s city attorney, the decision to veto does not mean a reversal.

VARNELL, Georgia (WDEF) – Varnell City Mayor says Police Chief Lyle Grant will answer questions from the community in which he will explain his actions regarding his suspension.

Police Chief Grant was suspended from his position for not immediately issuing an arrest warrant to a former city councilman accused of domestic violence. Instead of being reinstated, the city council voted to dissolve the department all together.

According to the Mayor, dissolving the police department is actually illegal.

The Mayor’s office says that another meeting will be held to address the issue and to hopefully come to a solution.

VARNELL, Georgia (WDEF) – The political fight on the Varnell City Council took a dramatic turn Tuesday morning.

It started in June, when councilman Sheldon Fowler was accused of domestic violence.

He would resign his position and the city’s Police Chief suspended for not immediately issuing an arrest warrant for him.

Today, the mayor reinstated Chief Lyle Grant.

Then the council went into executive session to discuss the development.

They came out and voted to dissolve the entire city police department.

As officers clear out their desks today, the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Department takes over law enforcement for the city.

The department included five officers and the chief.