Ivey residents petition to get police chief reinstated

IVEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A petition to reinstate ousted Ivey Police Chief, John Richards is gaining in momentum.

More than 140 people have signed the petition to get Richards back on the job, according to Loresia Hodges. Hodges is spearheading the collection of signatures.

Ivey city council unanimously voted to ask Richards to resign or be fired during Monday’s called council meeting.

Residents we spoke with are outraged about what happened to Richards. Now they are speaking out with their signatures.

“We wouldn’t sure that we would get so many names,” said Hodges. “But, because John has been out here as long as he has and the people out here ay Ivey really love him and they care about him and they know, he was only a phone call away.”

Richards told 41NBC, he was never given a verbal or written warning that his job was ever in jeopardy.