SENATOBIA, Miss. — There are questions surrounding the leadership of the Senatobia Police Department, after its police chief did not receive enough votes for reappointment.

The Board of Aldermen made that decision on Tuesday night. At this time, it’s unclear who could serve in an interim or permanent role.

All eyes are on the Senatobia Police Department after the Board of Aldermen voted against the reappointment of Police Chief Richard Chandler.

Chandler was appointed in 2020. During his time in the role, there were several incidents over the years that resulted in misconduct claims against the Senatobia Police.

In May, a woman told WREG she was wrongfully arrested over a handicap parking spot.

However, Senatobia Police released the body-camera video and a statement that justified the officers’ actions.

Over the past few years, WREG has reported on misconduct allegations against the police department, some of which have resulted in lawsuits.

“They did the right thing because we need people here. And I got young men, Black men in the community, and we need people that’s going to be fair towards everyone and not prejudiced,” said one Senatobia, Miss. resident.

“These new police that come here, they stay harassing these people. Especially if you have a different tag. You have a Panola County tag, DeSoto County tag, they gon stop you,” said the Senatobia, Miss. resident.

Despite some of the criticism, Mayor Greg Graves tells WREG he does not agree with the Board of Alderman’s decision to not reappoint the police chief.

In a statement, he says in part, “Crime in all major categories has decreased since Chief Chandler took over. We have a more diverse workforce, better-paid officers, better equipment, and more training than we’ve ever had.”

Mayor Graves claimed one of the Aldermen was involved in legal proceedings connected to the chief.

Graves said that he asked Alderman Chris McConnell to recuse himself, and he refused.

McConnell told WREG that he and his wife were subpoenaed in a case tied to the police chief, but says they were not parties in the case and that they were not called to testify and have no financial interest in the outcome.

As questions remain over leadership within the Senatobia Police Department, some people say certain steps should be taken to rebuild community trust.

“I don’t know if they need to hire more people, you know, locally, to do the policing around here, be officers around here, or what. But, if they probably get out in the community and reach out to people, you know, like host events and stuff like that,” said another Senatobia, Miss. resident.

WREG contacted the Senatobia Police Department for a statement about the police chief. We will let you know when we hear back.