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Belleair police chief resigns

 
Published Sept. 16, 2014

BELLEAIR — Police Chief Tom Edwards resigned Monday morning amid complaints from officers about his management style, a town official said.

The departure comes several weeks after a detective, backed by several officers, submitted an email criticizing Edwards, said Mayor Gary Katica. He said Town Manager Micah Maxwell hired an expert, who concluded that the allegations were untrue.

Edwards, on the force for about seven years, quit anyway, effective in about a week, the mayor said.

"It was just a bone of contention," said Katica. "He was a great chief and he organized a great police force from scratch. . . . It's a tough thing and I really wish him well. I have a heavy heart to see him go."

Neither Edwards nor Maxwell could be reached for comment late Monday.

Katica said Lt. Bill Sohl will serve as the acting police chief.