Hampton Police Chief Fired, Then Rehired
By: Brea Douglas, KTVE
Updated: September 12, 2012
"There was no other words except that I was in shock," says Hampton city councilman Floyd Gresham.
In shock because Gresham, like the rest of the city of Hampton found out that Mayor Philip Swofford had fired police chief Jeffery Jackson for not delivering an illegitimate eviction notice to one of his tenants at his rental property.
While the police chief didn't want to speak on camera, he says that Swofford was angry that his tenant wasn't paying his rent and manipulated an eviction notice for him to take to the tenant and arrest him.
"The chief has done nothing wrong. I said Phillip you back dating that piece of paper to vacate the premises doesn't speak much of your character," Gresham says.
Not only did Swofford want his tenant arrested for not paying rent, but also for taking advantage of getting free water, something the tenant told the chief that the mayor was aware of.
While the water issue is currently under investigation, the chief doesn't understand why Swofford would allow tenants to get away with not paying their water bill. The ordeal has city councilman Gresham questioning Swofford's ability to lead.
"I said honestly it makes me wonder about your competence to run the city," says Gresham.
The mayor was unavailable to speak on camera, but shortly after firing Jackson, he rehired him.
The issue will come up again at the next Hampton City Council meeting.
In shock because Gresham, like the rest of the city of Hampton found out that Mayor Philip Swofford had fired police chief Jeffery Jackson for not delivering an illegitimate eviction notice to one of his tenants at his rental property.
While the police chief didn't want to speak on camera, he says that Swofford was angry that his tenant wasn't paying his rent and manipulated an eviction notice for him to take to the tenant and arrest him.
"The chief has done nothing wrong. I said Phillip you back dating that piece of paper to vacate the premises doesn't speak much of your character," Gresham says.
Not only did Swofford want his tenant arrested for not paying rent, but also for taking advantage of getting free water, something the tenant told the chief that the mayor was aware of.
While the water issue is currently under investigation, the chief doesn't understand why Swofford would allow tenants to get away with not paying their water bill. The ordeal has city councilman Gresham questioning Swofford's ability to lead.
"I said honestly it makes me wonder about your competence to run the city," says Gresham.
The mayor was unavailable to speak on camera, but shortly after firing Jackson, he rehired him.
The issue will come up again at the next Hampton City Council meeting.
