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Ellis reinstated Melodie Phelps News Editor Monticello Police Officer Robert Ellis is back on the job this week, after he was reinstated for duty by Mayor Thurston Frye. Frye, who presided over a lengthy public hearing that was requested by Ellis, released his decision to reinstate Ellis on Wednesday, March 30. Ellis had been on administrative leave with pay, following an altercation with Monticello Police Chief Melvin Rose. The incident occurred on February 17 in the squad room of the police department, after Ellis apparently questioned Rose about a change on his time sheet. The altercation included Ellis hitting Rose and Rose spraying him with mace, according to testimony that was provided during the hearing. In regard to the public hearing, Ellis had been charged with assault against Rose, as well as violating the cityıs personnel policies and procedures regarding sick leave and abuse of other city employees. At the conclusion of the hearing, the mayor stated he had five days to render a decision regarding the incident. In an interview this week, Frye said that he weighed all the options before making his decision, and he took several days to review the information that came out during the public hearing. Frye stated that he had difficulty determining who was at fault in regard to the incident. Frye said that Ellis received written reprimands for violating the sick leave policy and for verbal abuse of other city employees. The Mayor said that he met with both Ellis and Rose on March 30 to discuss Ellisı return to the force. ³There is no problem between the two of them,² stated Frye. ³They have no problem working together and putting this incident behind them.² Ellis returned to duty on March 31, according to Frye. Frye referred to the incident as an ³embarrassing situation² for the city, and he hopes that the residents of Monticello continue to support the hard work of the police department. ³I feel like that since I have been mayor the police have done a good job,² stated Frye. He noted that enforcement has keyed on areas like drug trafficking and getting dealers off the streets. Frye said assistance from the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force and the Sheriffıs Department have been instrumental in the increased enforcement. ³We have also reduced the number of thefts and burglaries,² said Frye. Frye said there has been a lot of discussion about the speeding tickets that city officers have written, as well as the traffic checkpoints that have been set up around the city. He feels that the increased enforcement has helped slow people down and find drivers that may have uninsured vehicles. ³We have reduced the number of traffic accidents in the city 25 to 30 percent,² said Frye. ³The number of people who have been injured has decreased and property damage of vehicles has also decreased.² ³Our intent is not to badger the people. It is to make it safer to drive in Monticello,² he added. Frye said there are currently eight Monticello Police officers and there are plans to add another officer in the near future to bring the total force to nine. ³We have a good police department and I ask everyone to back them. Itıs a difficult job and I ask all citizens to support the police,² said Frye. Add a comment |
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