Officer demoted in mayor’s restructuring resigns from Bardstown Police Dept.
On Friday, Bardstown Police Officer Chris Brandon resigned his position. A total of four members of the Bardstown Police Department have departed in the wake of the department’s restructuring. From left, Brandon; Chief Rick McCubbin, who announced he will retired May 31; Ray Lewis; and Tom Roby, both of whom retired this month.
NELSON COUNTY GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT
Friday, April 29, 2016, 4 p.m. — Recently demoted Bardstown Police Officer Chris Brandon submitted his resignation on Friday, making a total of four officers who are leaving or have left the department since Mayor John Royalty restructured the police department.
CHRIS BRANDON
Brandon — a 14-year department veteran — held the rank of lieutenant before he was demoted to patrolman as part of Royalty’s restructuring of the department. Brandon began his law enforcement career in 1999 with the Murray Police Department. He joined the Bardstown Police in 2002.
When asked about the resignation, Royalty called Brandon a good officer who had served the city well.
In addition to Brandon’s departure, the restructuring also prompted Major. Ray Lewis, Police Chief Rick McCubbin’s assistant chief — who had been discussing retirement — to go ahead and retire this month. Capt. Tom Roby — who was also demoted to patrolman — moved his retirement date from later this year to April. On April 18, McCubbin added his name to the list of retiring officers. He will retire on May 31.
Replacing Lewis as assistant chief is Officer McKenzie Mattingly. In a private pinning ceremony Sunday, April 24, Mattingly was promoted to the rank of major, and Officer Brad Gillock was promoted to lieutenant.
The restructuring includes the creation of four sergeant positions who will serve in supervisory roles. They will replace the current practice of designating the most senior officer on each shift as the “officer in charge.”
After his promotion, Mattingly told members of the media he plans to fill those sergeant positions as soon as possible.
With a total of four officers leaving the force, the City of Bardstown is taking applications for certified officers and chief of police. Interested parties can visit the city’s website for information and an application, or contact Larry Green at (502) 331-7009.
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