Attempt to overturn Alexander Mayor’s firing of police chief fails

 (UPDATED 1/24/2025: Corrected vote by council.)

The Alexander City Council failed to veto Mayor Crystal Herrmann’s firing of former Police Chief Robert Burnett. The vote came after the council and mayor were in executive session for around 35-minutes.

The morning following the Alexander City Council’s December 16 meeting, Mayor Herrmann fired not only Robert Burnett, but Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett and Administrative Sergeant Jonathan Hobby as well.

In a press release Herrmann stated, “On December 17, 2024, the administration of the City of Alexander determined that the Alexander Police Department's administrative direction needed change and realignment. As a result of the new direction, Chief Robert Burnett, Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett, and Administrative Sargent Jonathan Hobby were terminated from the City of Alexander Police Department as their services were no longer needed within the Department.”

During the executive session one police officer was escorted by Herrmann into the private meeting. Burnett, however, was not asked to take part.

After the January 21 meeting was called back into session by Herrmann, Council Member Joy Gray explained what had just occurred.

“Basically, we have a meeting and executive session that is outside the view of the public, and then the discussion was on to whether or not to reinstate Chief Burnett,” Gray said.

She then directed a question to City Attorney Chris Madison concerning the next step.

“So what would happen is whenever the council is trying to overturn a mayor's decision, it would take a positive vote ... to reinstate Chief Burnett,” Madison said. “The second requires a two-thirds vote.”

In this case six of the eight council members would have to vote “Yes” to reinstate Burnett.

Council Member Mitchell W. Smith made the motion to reinstate Burnett. Council Member Juanita Wilson made the second.

Wilson voted “Yes.” Voting “No” were Gray, Daniel L. Bates, Angela Griffin, Amy Lyons, and Christopher Prowse. Joe Pollard was absent, which counts as a “No” vote. Smith abstained.

This may not be the last word on this issue. Both Burnetts were present at the meeting with their lawyer. Both their lawyer and Madison were seen talking during the executive session and after the council meeting had adjourned.