Mayor: McKenzie Mattingly tenders resignation as Bardstown police officer

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Tuesday, June 6, 2017 — Capt. McKenzie Mattingly, one of the officers promoted to a command position last April as part of former Mayor John Royalty’s controversial department restructuring, has resigned.

MCKENZIE MATTINGLY

Mattingly submitted his resignation on Friday, June 2, Mayor Dick Heaton said at Tuesday nights city council working session. Mattingly’s last day with the city will be Friday, July 14. He will serve the rest of his time with the police department as a regular officer and not in a leadership role, Heaton said.

The announcement came Tuesday at the start of the council’s working session.

Former Bardstown Police Chief C.D. Marksbury — whose police career has been spent primarily in the community and who has worked part-time as the police department’s evidence technician for years — has agreed to serve as interim captain, Heaton said.

Heaton said the move is not a restructuring of the police department.

“All I’m doing is reacting to a resignation,” he the council and assembled members of the media.

Prior to Mattingly’s resignation, the department’s other command officer, Lt. Brad Gillock, left the department last month to accept a position with the Kentucky State Police. Gillock’s decision to leave was made well in advance to Heaton’s appointment as the city’s mayor, he said.

Heaton said he has worked closely with Bardstown Police Chief Steve Uram, and has kept the council informed as events unfolded.

Heaton took no questions from the media following his statement.

BACKGROUND. McKenzie Mattingly was promoted to the rank of captain and second-in-command at the Bardstown Police Department last April as part of former Mayor John Royalty’s restructuring of the department’s command staff. The restructuring included the promotion of Officer Brad Gillock to the rank of lieutenant and the No. 3 spot in the department’s command structure.

Then-Chief Rick McCubbin was on sick leave when he learned of Royalty’s restructuring. He later resigned as chief.

See related stories:

Police chief warned Royalty of ‘shit storm’ from police restructuring plan

Officer demoted in mayor’s restructuring plan resigns from Bardstown PD

Bardstown Police Chief Rick McCubbin announces his retirement

Officers Mattingly, Gillock promoted during pinning ceremony at City Hall

Social media discussions led to rally to protest mayor’s actions

‘Gone rogue:’ More than 200 turn out to protest Royalty’s recent actions

Roby’s attorney says firing stems from mayor’s ‘old political vendetta’

Mayor cuts off council discussion of city police department restructuring

McCubbin: Mayor attempting to justify restructuring with excuses, attacks on officers

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