STEELE -- The Chief of Police in Steele has tendered his resignation to the city, a move that comes on the heels of the Board of Aldermen voting to begin drawing up articles of impeachment.
Sources at Steele City Hall have confirmed that a resignation has been tendered by Chief Michael Tomlinson. Tomlinson was recently indicted on drug charges by the federal government. The Board was going to consider the impeachment at their next meeting.
The Steele Board of Aldermen voted at a special meeting to begin the process of impeachment. Tomlinson has basically been on a "leave with pay" status with the city since his arrest and release on bond pending his trial in federal court. Tomlinson bonded out and has retained Attorney Wendell Hoskins II of Caruthersville to represent him.
The police department has been operating with existing officers.
The Board utilized standard protocol and the ranking officer is Capt. Beverly Alexander, a former police officer with the Blytheville Police Department. The Board still has to officially accept the resignation and has a regularly scheduled meeting set for next week although no one would confirm if the resignation was on the agenda.
The police chief's job in Steele is an elected position unless a change is made by the Board or citizens in an election.
The Board has the option of calling a special election or appointing someone to fill out the unexpired term until the regular election next April.