VAN, Texas — Following a crowded city council meeting Thursday, discussions regarding the termination of the Van Police Chief fell silent.
Discussions were expected to continue after a week of controversy following the firing of Police Chief Melissa Davis, a veteran of the department in the town of about 2,600 people.
A July 1 termination letter, obtained by WFAA through a public records request, shows city manager John DeSha fired the chief for "an insubordinate, unprofessional and belligerent attitude." The letter said the firing came after two disciplinary write-ups.
But the chief's supporters said the tipping point happened following a dispute over how to address graffiti in the city's downtown.
The city manager wanted the police chief to write citation or enforcement letters to businesses that had been tagged by graffiti, said Clint McNear, a field services supervisor for the Texas Municipal Police Association and supporter of Davis.
He said the chief organized a community graffiti cleanup instead.
"She chose to help rather than punish victims, so the city manager decided she’s insubordinate and problem," McNear said. "The citizens want that sort of relationship with the police department."
McNear said Davis is not commenting publicly on the advice of her lawyer. DeSha told WFAA it was a personnel matter that he would not comment on.
In Van Thursday, many residents had heard -- or even had thoughts -- about the chief's firing but were not willing to share them on the record. Some said they feared for their personal safety, others their livelihoods as small business owners in town.
"They’re scared," said Ryan Hanson, who owns the 3 Knock Speakeasy on the outskirts of downtown. "It's a big deal for Van."
He said there was no love lost between him and Davis.
"She's not a great leader, she might be a very good policewoman, but she's not a great leader at all," he said, citing a lawsuit filed against the chief and the department alleging retaliation.
However, Hanson said he was not a fan of how she was fired.
"There's been an ongoing rift between the police chief and city manager," he said.
He said the town's politics, of which he was a part as a one-term city councilmember in 2020, is broken.
"Honestly, Van is no different than any other small town," Hanson said. "All small towns struggle with the same good old boy system."