Residents to city council: Bring Chen back | Politics

The city's former police chief is accused of lying, misusing city funds and voiding traffic tickets.

But more than a hundred residents want him back on the job.  

The irked residents addressed the Medina City Council on Monday night in defense of former Medina police chief Jeff Chen, demanding the council, in the words of one resident, "fix the problem."

"This whole situation has reflected very negatively on our community," said one resident.

None of the gathered residents minced words.

"We will not go away!" said a resident.

"This isn't personal; this is professional. Start acting that way," said another resident.

The residents lashed out at the council, then rolled out a list off 431 names petitioning on behalf of their former police chief.

"You need to do the right thing for this community. You need to rehire Chief Chen," said a resident.

Chen resigned, but later said he was forced to resign by Medina City Manager Donna Hansen.

Hansen ultimately fired Chen in April after launching an investigation into a string of allegations against Chen, including lying, forging memos, voiding traffic tickets, misusing city dollars and instructing officers to look at the big picture before handing out tickets to certain residents.

Chen has denied the allegations, and has threatened to file a federal lawsuit against the city if steps are not taken to clear his name.

"I've done nothing immoral, nothing unethical, nothing illegal," he said. "Correct a real wrong and get my job back, so I can get back to work as your police chief."

Some have called for the resignation or the firing of the city manager also at the center of the controversy

"I have all along felt that I was doing the right thing, and I still feel that I did the right thing as a public employee upholding those standards," said Hansen. "And council will have to do what they have to do, but I will always feel that I did the right thing."

The city council has not made a decision.