City Council takes vote of “no confidence” in police chief

PINE BLUFF, AR – The Pine Bluff City Council held a vote of “no confidence” in Police Chief Brenda Davis-Jones at their meeting Monday night. The resolution failed, alderman were split 4-4.

The vote comes just two weeks after more than half of Pine Bluff’s police officers held their own vote of no confidence in Chief Davis-Jones. Some aldermen say the chief is not showing professional leadership, morale within the department is low, and turnover is high.

"There's a lot of turmoil within the police department,” said Alderman Thelma Walker. “We're losing officers, we've had some terminated and then rehired, and there are so many other problems, so I don't regret bringing up this legislation.”

Pine Bluff Mayor Carl Redus spoke out in support of the chief. Under her leadership, according to the mayor, crime is down, grant funding is up, and the department is better off with her.

"As the mayor and the chief’s manager, I don't understand how the chief is not doing the job. I don't manage on accusations, I manage on productivity and end results,” said Redus.

Alderman argued back and forth with the mayor after the vote. There were some accusations that the mayor doesn't respect the council and they all just seemed quite passionate about their views and wanted to make sure their views and opinions were heard.

Chief Davis-Jones was not present at the meeting. Redus said she is on “Spring Break.”

The Pine Bluff City Council is also considering two competing ordinances dealing with how the department addresses personnel matters like hiring, firing, and disciplinary actions. Mayor Redus is also researching consulting firms who may be contracted to review the Police Department’s policies and procedures.