Former Pine Bluff Police Chief Brenda Davis-Jones
PINE BLUFF, Ark. (KTHV) -- Former police chief Brenda Davis-Jones is
going to have to explore other legal options if she wants her job back.
Immediately after taking office in January, new
mayor Debe Hollingsworth dismissed Davis-Jones as police chief. Pine
Bluff Alderman George Stepps told THV 11 News there was not enough
support from the city council to overturn her firing.
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During a special executive session Monday night, the board voted to take no action on Davis-Jones' appeal. Stepps believes this allows her to file a lawsuit against both Hollingsworth and the city.
Stepps also commented on a law that states all city office heads must reside in the city limits. He said previous administrations violated this rule, as well as the current one.
Jeff Hubanks, the interim police chief, currently lives in Cleveland County.
The administrative committee has proposed a rule allowing city officials who are "grandfathered in" -- with the exception of the police chief and fire chief -- to continue living outside Pine Bluff. Stepps said that, if the measure passes, Hubanks would have to move into town immediately.
The next regular council meeting is Feb. 19.