Clayton County’s top law enforcer said Friday he will fight efforts to remove him from the position he’s held for five years.
Clayton commissioners on Monday will consider a resolution at a special-called meeting to make Clayton Police Chief Greg Porter the director of the county’s 911 Communications Services, a department of about 60 employees which is under the police department.
As police chief, Porter oversees a budget of $34 million and 600 people.
Porter said Friday the move - seen as a demotion- would strip him of his law enforcement authority. He would no longer be able to carry a gun or have arrest powers. Porter said he has been with the Clayton County Police Department nearly 29 years and could retire within 13 months.
“My whole livelihood may be potentially lost,” Porter told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Friday. “I plan on fighting it because it’s wrong. It’s a disservice to the community. I’ve proven myself to be the people’s police chief. I’m going to fight it. I believe in my heart this is the retaliatory actions of chairman Turner.”
It is unclear why the move is being considered. Efforts to reach Commisison Chairman Jeff Turner Friday morning were unsuccessful. But supporters of Porter say it is politically motivated.
“I can’t think of anything he’s done wrong,” Jonesboro resident Angela McCray said Friday. “Everything he’s done for the community has been good. This is a political, personal move.”
A memo emerged late last year showing growing internal strife between Porter and Turner.
In the Nov. 17 memo, Porter accused Turner of bypassing him and giving orders directly to police department employees as well as making “questionable requests” involving police department resources. An investigation was launched into allegations.
“I think I’ve done a good job protecting the citizens and doing right by the office of the chief of police chief,” Porter said. “I hope to continue to be police chief and I hope to have the support of the community. I’ve demonstrated my ability to be effective in my role as police chief. The crime rate has been lowered on my watch and that’s attributed to the support of the community.”
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