After two firings of police chiefs in the past few weeks, Louisa town manager George E. Morrison III has resigned. Former police chief John Cetrulo, who was demoted to lieutenant several weeks ago and fired on Tuesday, had threatened to open a probe into Morrison prior to Cetrulo’s dismissal, and believes that is part of why he was fired. Morrison claims that his resignation from his two-year job has nothing to do with the police disputes, and says it’s just “bad timing.” The Progress’ Austin Graham has the recent story on the firing of the former chief, plus today’s story about Morrison’s resignation.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
four six and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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I did a little research into the Town of Louisa Police Department. First of all, I read the town charter for the Town of Louisa, and it states,
"Appointive Officers.
§ 4.1. Appointment.
The Town Council may appoint such officers of the Town as they deem necessary. Such officers may include, but shall not be limited to, a Town Manager, a Town Clerk, a Town Attorney. a Town Treasurer, a Town Sergeant, Special Police Officers, and justices of the Peace. The enumeration of officers in this section shall not be construed to require the appointment of any of such officers herein named. Officers appointed by the Town Council shall perform such duties as may be specified in this Charter, by the laws of the Commonwealth, or by the Town Council. (1972, c. 68)"
Notice that no where in their charter are they even permitted to have a "Chief of Police" so-to-speak. They are permitted to have a "Town Sergeant" which was what the former Town Sgt. Ashland Fortune went by before he was Sheriff of the County. They are also in violation since they demoted the Chief to the rank of Lieutenant. This is another rank that is not authorized by charter. The Town needs to be real careful in the future when they hire a "law enforcement executive". Without a change to their charter, they could get in a legal jam. Maybe they can get around it with the "but not limited to" phrase.
Obviously they have ego problems going on over there. What a mess!
Go, you, doin’ that homework. ;) Thanks!
The may include, but shall not be limited to, seems to suggest pretty explicitly that the list is not an entire list. You could also say that chiefs and lieutenants are essentially town sergeants or you could say that they are both a sort of special police officer.
I don’t think that this really clears up their mess, but I think that these appts are okay under at least this part of the charter.