An option laid out by Mayor Ron Littlefield to install Sheriff Jim Hammond as head of Chattanooga’s police department if a contract for current Chief Freeman Cooper is not ratified could backfire, the council’s chairman said Monday.
“I think he had the votes when he said he had the votes,” council Chairman Jack Benson said. “I don’t think he has the votes now.”
Mr. Benson said Monday he has not heard one person in support of installing the sheriff as the police chief. He said he initially thought there might be some support for it because it would be a move toward consolidation.
“I’ve found absolutely no support for this except from the mayor’s office,” Mr. Benson said.
Mr. Littlefield said last week that if a contract for Chief Cooper is not ratified by the council that he would initiate a contract with Hamilton County Sheriff Hammond to take the job as Chattanooga’s top law enforcement officer for $1 a year. The council will vote on Chief Cooper’s contract tonight, the day before he is set to retire.