By Eason Franklin
The Lowndes Signal

FORT DEPOSIT — The police chief here is an officer now.

The Fort Deposit Town Council requested the demotion after it received a variety of complaints.

Turner said Council member Elbert Means citied a lack of enforcement of laws, disregard for council’s instructions about scheduling officers and failure to arrest violators of the law when an officer sees the violation.

The complaint were listed on the council agenda las week.

Turner said the “allegations were lies.”

Lowndes County Chief Deputy Chris West replaced Turner on Friday.

Turner said he told the council it had already made a decision and there was no need to discuss the matter. He left the meeting.

“I have served in law enforcement since 1988 in Lowndes County, then took the position of chief of police in Fort Deposit in September of 2005,”Turner said. “I’ll continue to serve in Fort Deposit until a better opportunity arises and I hope to remain in law enforcement.”

This is not the first time Turner faced demotion. Mayor Fletcher Fountain attempted to have Turner demoted in 2008, but citizens took up for Turner.

“The citizens are pleased the way things are,” Turner said. “Fletcher is just doing what he things is best for Fort Deposit.”

Fountain could not be reached for comment.

Lowndes County Sheriff Chip Williams said he does not know who will replace his chief deputy.