Mayor’s Veto of Hutchins as Police Chief Stands

Tuesday night, Moss Point’s Board of Aldermen was unable to overturn the Mayor’s veto of Calvin Hutchins as the new Police Chief.

Last month, the board voted 4 to 3 to hire the Pascagoula Police sergeant over the current Interim Chief, Art McClung, but the Mayor Billy Broomfield vetoed the decision, telling News 25 he believed McClung was more qualified for the job. Tuesday night, the same four aldermen voted to overturn the veto, but five votes were needed. In response to the veto, supporters of Hutchins held several protests. About 200 residents attended Tuesday night’s meeting.

Charlotte Brown, protest organizer, says, “I’m very saddened because there was so much community outcry and there were so many people here tonight. And how is it possible for the Board of Aldermen to look out and see all of us and not do what we want? Not listen to us?”

Now, the aldermen will have to vote to hire McClung as the new Police Chief or start the hiring process over again.