Mannford Police Chief To Fight His Dismissal

MANNFORD, Okla. (AP) _ The police chief of Mannford plans to file an appeal over his dismissal. <br/><br/>Town Administrator Mike Nunneley says he sent police chief James Hillis a letter on Monday, notifying

Thursday, November 30th 2006, 8:17 am

By: News On 6

MANNFORD, Okla. (AP) _ The police chief of Mannford plans to file an appeal over his dismissal.

Town Administrator Mike Nunneley says he sent police chief James Hillis a letter on Monday, notifying him of his termination.

Nunneley says he fired Hillis after a November 22nd employment hearing with the city attorney, Hillis and his lawyer. He declined to say why he chose to fire Hillis, except to say it was based on job-performance issues.

Hillis is a former Bethany police officer who was hired as Mannford's chief on June first, 2005.

Hillis' attorney Mark Finnerty says during the employment hearing, Nunneley didn't present the kinds of job-performance issues which would have called for termination.

Finnerty said he's asked Mannford officials for an appeal hearing before a five-member review board.

At a November 9th Town Trustee meeting, residents who packed the session were vocal in their support for Hillis.