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The former Smithfield police chief says he doesn't know why city leaders asked him to resign this week, but said he received a "very generous" severance package for doing so.
Johnny McCoy was called into the Smithfield mayor's office on Monday. The mayor, Darrell Simmons, said the city wanted to change the leadership at the police department, McCoy said Tuesday, and asked McCoy to resign.
McCoy agreed, effective immediately.
"I asked if there was more to that and they said no," McCoy said. "It's been 14 years and they felt the time was right to make a shift and a change in leadership."
"I asked, 'Have I done anything that's wrong?' "
No, McCoy said he was told.
Simmons did not return messages seeking comment Tuesday. Smithfield has about 9,500 residents and sits in Cache County.
Smithfield gave McCoy what he called a "very generous" severance package, though he declined to specify the terms.
According to the most-recent information on Utahsright.com, McCoy earned $68,368 in annual salary and another $36,839 in benefits.
McCoy, 57, has been in law enforcement for 33 years. He rose to the rank of lieutenant at the Uinta County, Wyo., Sheriff's Office and served on the city council in Evanston.
In 2000, Smithfield decided to start its own police department and hired McCoy as chief. Five officers began policing the town on Jan. 1, 2001. The department had eight officers when McCoy resigned.
McCoy said he had no bitterness toward Simmons or the Smithfield city council. He said the town has been good to him.
"I still have some working years and I would like to stay in the law enforcement arena," McCoy added.
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