Chris Joyce, who Chief Ernest Combs attempted to fire from the Clarkston Police Department last fall, chose to resign from the force on Jan. 25.
Combs announced Joyce’s resignation at the Feb. 14 meeting of the Clarkston City Council in answer to a question from Council Member Scott Meyland.
The resignation letter was delivered to the city police station sometime during the evening of Jan. 25, Combs said. Combs dropped in at his office after the city council meeting but did not discover the letter the next morning.
Combs said Joyce gave no reason for the resignation in his letter, stating only that it was effective immediately.
Contacted by The Clarkston News on Monday, Joyce declined comment except to cite ‘personal reasons? for his resignation.
In September 2004, Combs fired Joyce, who previously was suspended from duty. Reasons for the disciplinary action were never revealed.
Consultation between City Manager Art Pappas and attorney Thomas Ryan led to the dismissal being reduced to suspension because Combs failed to follow a city charter provision requiring the city manager’s ‘confirmation? for such an action.
Several city council meetings last fall included vocal debate among residents and city officials concerning Joyce’s specific situation and the state of the police department.
At the Jan. 25 meeting, Combs began to bring a ‘disciplinary matter? to the council, but was advised by Ryan of further procedures before such an issue could be discussed in open session.
The matter was subsequently dropped, and Combs declined comment on whether it involved Joyce.
‘I had no clue? the resignation was forthcoming, Combs said. The lack of notice caused a bit of a problem, since Joyce was scheduled to work the evening of the day the letter was discovered.
‘We had to scramble a bit to cover the shift, but we managed,? Combs told the council on Feb. 14.
Combs later said he was trying to avoid the public announcement until he could resolve several pending court cases in which Joyce was the arresting officer.
Officer Rob Alonzi resigned prior to the disciplinary action against Joyce last fall, and at the Jan. 10 council meeting, Combs announced the resignation of Officer Steve O’Neill.
The loss of three officers in recent months apparently will not cause an immediate problem for road patrol, Combs said.
The largely part-time force now includes seven commissioned officers and four reserves, all of whom Combs said have voiced a willingness to work extra hours.
‘I have to rebuild to a degree,? Combs said, but ‘I’m still in good shape protecting the city with the manpower I have.?
There is a challenge when the city hosts major public events, where traffic and crowd control require more personnel.
The chief announced on Feb. 14 that he has selected three new reserve officer candidates who will put themselves through the reserve academy at their own expense.
Combs also said he has a candidate for a commissioned officer position.
Combs last week continued his reluctance to talk of the conflicts with Joyce.
‘There were some problems,? Combs said, but he also called Joyce ‘a good street cop? with a commendable record of making alcohol- and drug-related arrests.