Pa. Borough Council Fires Police Chief, Again

July 12, 2011
The Reynoldsville Borough Council voted Monday to fire Police Chief John McAvoy. Over the past few weeks, he has been at the center of a controversy.

REYNOLDSVILLE, Pa. --

Residents packed the Reynoldsville Municipal Building Monday for a borough council meeting.

Over the past few weeks, that Jefferson County community's police chief has been at the center of a controversy.

Last week, Chief John McAvoy told WJAC-TV that he received a letter from borough council President Russ Whelpley in June that terminated his two-year contract.

Members of the community and the borough's mayor raised concerns about that decision, including that only half the council members were made aware of that vote.

On Monday, council held a special meeting to address those concerns. They told residents in attendance that borough officials have never discussed eliminating the police force.

However, they did vote publicly to fire John McAvoy. Some members of council said McAvoy did not fulfill promises he made when he was hired. Other members said that they didn't agree with the direction McAvoy was taking the department.

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