Mayor Charles Henderson appointed a new police chief Thursday.
Lt. Richard McQuery is now the new police chief. A new assistant chief and deputy chief have also been named.
Earlier this month, Mayor Henderson fired Chief Joe Pitcher saying Pitcher denied a direct order from the mayor in a case involving another officer.
The case last year involved Greenwood Officer Nick Dine, who was accused of arguing with residents and officers outside a Greenwood restaurant. That night, Pitcher reportedly invited Dine to his home and offered him a drink.
Because of that, Mayor Henderson asked Pitcher to stay out of the investigation. But the mayor says he still got involved.
Dine was supposed to have a hearing with the police merit board this week, but Mayor Henderson says instead Chief Pitcher worked out a deal for internal discipline and that the chief never showed up to the hearing. Henderson says that was the last straw and led to the firing.
