Article detailing Chief Hubbard's demise.

By Savannah Morning News
Created 2007-01-17 23:30
Erinn McGuire | Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 12:30 am

HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - The city's police chief was fired Tuesday, the ninth officer to have been terminated, asked to resign or reassigned to another city department in the past year.

Hardeeville terminates police chief
By Savannah Morning News
Created 2007-01-17 23:30
Erinn McGuire | Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 12:30 am

HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - The city's police chief was fired Tuesday, the ninth officer to have been terminated, asked to resign or reassigned to another city department in the past year.

Chief James Hubbard had been with the Hardeeville Police Department for 26 years. He served as chief for the past six years. City Manager R. Shane Haynes announced Wednesday that Hubbard no longer was with the police department following a nine-month review of city departments, including the police department.

Haynes announced the move in a prepared statement Wednesday.

"There have been numerous meetings between (Hubbard) and the administration during this time in an effort to address the myriad of issues that have been identified as the review progressed," he said. Haynes made no mention as to what the issues might be.

His statement said he would answer no more questions Wednesday, citing city policies to not address personnel issues.

But there have been problems, and at least some people have questioned the recent changes.

Jimmy Pinckney, a longtime Hardeeville resident who now resides in Island West, said Hubbard's parting was not amicable.

"Right is right, and wrong is wrong, and this is wrong," Pinckney said. "The city of Hardeeville don't care about the old Hardeeville or the people who have lived there their entire lives. They don't want any input from the old citizens."

Pinckney said the city's reasoning for Hubbard's dismissal was too vague.

"The people are owed an explanation," he said. "You just don't go in and upset a small community and not be open about it. It makes it seem like they're hiding something."

Hubbard wasn't the only officer to leave the department this week. On Wednesday morning, Pfc. Warren Callais turned in his badge, said Hardeeville spokesman Paul Floeckher. A third officer quit Sunday, leaving the police department with about eight officers.

Floeckher said he wasn't sure why Callais left the department. Pfc. Chris McIntosh accepted a job with the nearby Ridgeland Police Department.

In early 2006, several officers left the department. The first to go was Rick Keefner, a staff sergeant with 16 years of experience. Eric Broxton, Lt. Eric Washington, Neal Shiflett and Mike Benton left soon after. Capt. Jerome White, the department's former second in command, also left last year. White, Benton and Shiflett are now Jasper County deputies.

During the same time, Hubbard was forced to take a two week vacation.

Later that summer, city officials said the police department was undergoing reorganization. In June, a "reduction in force" was approved for the police department. It was determined the police department had become top heavy and needed more officers on the streets.

A city council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. tonight at City Hall on Main Street in Hardeeville.

Lt. Dan Martin will act as interim chief.

The city will conduct a "national search" for a permanent replacement, Haynes said.

Calls to Hubbard's home were not returned Wednesday night.