England City Council Upholds Former Police Chief's Termination
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: October 9, 2012
A rally in support of fired Police Chief Herman Hutton has the feel of a Southern Revival.
"It's been a long time coming, but I know, change has come," sings Ever Thomas in a crowd of supporters.
Full of testimonials about bridges being built in a community.
"He treats everybody equal," said one rally-goer.
"You're not racist, you for any color that they a person's given," said another.
"We've been trying to bring this community together," Hutton said. "You could see that tonight. There were people standing in a crowd together that normally wouldn't stand in a crowd together."
From the city park to the City Council, supporters included an England Police Officer who resigned after Hutton's termination. He told the City Council lack of leadership was never an issue in the department under Hutton's direction.
"When you can get all these people in here in this room to get behind him, when you can get the entire department to get behind him, that's leadership," said former officer Doug Bjork. "There's nothing else to call that."
Pastor Derrick Herron warned Hutton's termination by the Mayor could tear the community apart.
"You have white folks here and black folks here, coming together for this man," he said. "If we want togetherness in this community, if we want this community to heal, we have to come together. That's what he's provided."
Even Benton's Police Chief Kirk Lane, spoke publicly in support of Hutton, urging the City Council to spare him from having to take the bullet of being fired.
"Herman, you don't have to follow in my footsteps. I need to follow in yours," Lane said to the sound of resounding claps.
But in the end, it was not enough for the eight individuals on the council to vote to overturn Hutton's termination.
"I don't think that's what the community wants. I think there are power brokers in town who don't like the fact that I'm straight. I don't have a steering wheel on my back," Hutton said.
Hutton is consulting with his attorney to see what next steps he might take and what options could be on the table next. England's mayor has already hired Hutton's replacement.
"It's been a long time coming, but I know, change has come," sings Ever Thomas in a crowd of supporters.
Full of testimonials about bridges being built in a community.
"He treats everybody equal," said one rally-goer.
"You're not racist, you for any color that they a person's given," said another.
"We've been trying to bring this community together," Hutton said. "You could see that tonight. There were people standing in a crowd together that normally wouldn't stand in a crowd together."
From the city park to the City Council, supporters included an England Police Officer who resigned after Hutton's termination. He told the City Council lack of leadership was never an issue in the department under Hutton's direction.
"When you can get all these people in here in this room to get behind him, when you can get the entire department to get behind him, that's leadership," said former officer Doug Bjork. "There's nothing else to call that."
Pastor Derrick Herron warned Hutton's termination by the Mayor could tear the community apart.
"You have white folks here and black folks here, coming together for this man," he said. "If we want togetherness in this community, if we want this community to heal, we have to come together. That's what he's provided."
Even Benton's Police Chief Kirk Lane, spoke publicly in support of Hutton, urging the City Council to spare him from having to take the bullet of being fired.
"Herman, you don't have to follow in my footsteps. I need to follow in yours," Lane said to the sound of resounding claps.
But in the end, it was not enough for the eight individuals on the council to vote to overturn Hutton's termination.
"I don't think that's what the community wants. I think there are power brokers in town who don't like the fact that I'm straight. I don't have a steering wheel on my back," Hutton said.
Hutton is consulting with his attorney to see what next steps he might take and what options could be on the table next. England's mayor has already hired Hutton's replacement.
