In a small Ohio village, a police chief has been dismissed from his position for refusing to submit to a drug test.
The mayor of the village alleged that she detected a strong odor of marijuana in his office, a scent so potent it could "knock you off your feet."
The incident took place in New Miami Village, as reported by The Blaze. The village council unanimously decided to terminate Chief Harold Webb's employment on June 27, following a disagreement that began a week earlier. Mayor Jewell Hayes-Hensley, accompanied by a council member, had visited Webb's office to collect his daily logs. The mayor later described the encounter in a letter, stating, "the first thing that came out of my mouth was who has been smoking weed in here," and added that "the smell of marijuana could knock you off your feet."
The village's attorney delivered a letter to Webb's residence on June 24, giving him until the following day at 5:00 p.m. to undergo a drug test or face disciplinary action. Webb did visit the testing site on June 25, but ultimately declined to provide a urine sample in the presence of a nurse, describing the situation as "belittling."
In response to the mayor's actions, Webb texted Hayes-Hensley, "You know what you win. This is the third time you have questioned my integrity." He promised to deliver his resignation letter that same evening. Webb maintained that the marijuana odor was due to over 850 grams of the drug seized by the department in a raid earlier in the year. His explanation, however, failed to sway the council's decision.
Hayes-Hensley responded to Webb's departure with a simple, "Sorry things didn't work out." She instructed him to return all New Miami Village property and to relinquish access to video cameras and computers to her.
Prior to the marijuana incident, Webb had been accused of several other violations. Hayes-Hensley alleged that Webb had stolen hot dogs from a gas station when only free soda was permitted while on duty. She also claimed he had neglected to respond to 911 calls, committed "theft of office," falsified timesheets and daily logs, and cashed paychecks without providing evidence of his presence at work.
In the wake of Webb's dismissal, Hayes-Hensley emphasized her commitment to the safety of the village's residents. She wrote, Council and I are working very hard to have a greater police presence in our village and do a major cleanup both with crime and housing. It is time that residents of the village of New Miami know they have a mayor and council working to put the communitys needs first and do everything within their power to make the village of New Miami a safe, clean, and thriving community.
New Miami Village is home to approximately 2,200 residents, who are now witnessing the fallout of this unexpected turn of events.
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