PINCKNEYVILLE - City officials have asked Police Chief Paul Day to retire, adding that a recommendation of not reappointing him would be made if he doesn't comply.

Mayor Joseph Holder asked Day on Monday to retire from his position at the end of the month. Day said the only reason given was that "they want to go in a new direction, and I have no idea what they mean by that."

Day said under Holder's terms, his last day in the office would be Jan. 31, but he has accrued vacation and personal days that would keep him employed until late April. Day, a 31-year veteran of the department, earns about $44,000 per year as chief.

The decision is based in both city finances and Day's ability as a department administrator, Holder said. The police department already has experienced the temporary loss of two officers who were laid off earlier this month as a cost-saving measure for the city.

"They go hand in hand," Holder said. "No matter what you have available to spend, you want to get the most for your money. I feel the department can be more productive and effective for the dollars we're spending."

Both formal and informal investigations were completed into the operations of the department, Holder said. He decided Day's personality and work style made him a more valuable asset as a patrolman rather than a department administrator.

Day joined the police department on a part-time basis in 1977, became a sergeant in 1986 and assumed the role of chief in 2003. When the new council was seated in May, it waited to appoint or reappoint department heads until members could evaluate performances, with the police chief being the final post reviewed, Holder said.

"It's not like, in my opinion, we owe these people a job," he said. "They work at the pleasure of the council."

City Attorney Roger Seibert said Tuesday he had not been consulted about the issue and that the council would need to approve the action before it would become official. Holder said the council as a whole has not discussed the issue, but he believes the members will support his and Police Commissioner Martin Beltz's recommendations.

Holder's recommendation will be to name an interim chief from within the department while searching for a full-time replacement. The interim chief will receive either additional pay or overtime for assuming the extra responsibility and new duties, he said. The mayor hopes to see a new chief in place by May 1.

Day said the department has been dealing with hard times recently, which will only continue to get worse. In addition to the two laid-off officers, another member of the force resigned Monday. Day said this will limit the department to three full-time employees at the end of the month.

One of the laid-off employees will be called back to duty, and efforts will be made to accommodate other vacancies, Holder said.

Beltz did not immediately return calls for comment Tuesday.

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