GRANVILLE – Granville Police Chief Scott Flebotte suddenly resigned from the position on February 16 after holding the position since 2013.
Declining to comment on Flebotte’s resignation, Granville Town Administrator Matt Streeter did provide the Westfield News with a copy Flebotte’s resignation letter that was addressed to the Select Board.
In the letter, Flebotte states, “I am writing to announce my resignation from the Town of Granville, effective February 16, 2019. This was not an easy decision as the Chief of Police. I have enjoyed working for you and managing a very successful team dedicated to community service.”
Flebotte (middle) is seen speaking to Granville residents at a public meeting in December of 2017. (WNG File Photo)
“Thank you for the opportunities that you have provided me. I wish you and the Town of Granville the best.”
The Westfield News was unable to reach Flebotte for a comment on his reason for resignation.
On February 15th the Select Board held an executive session to “investigate charges of criminal misconduct or to consider the filing of criminal complaints.”
That discussion was followed by another executive session “to discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual.”
At their next meeting on February 25, the Select Board held the same two executive sessions.
When speaking with the Westfield News, both Streeter and Select Board member David Ripley declined to comment if any of the executive session discussions were related to Flebotte’s resignation.
Due to the abrupt departure from Flebotte, the Select Board appointed Rick Rindels on February 25 as the interim Chief of Police. Prior to the appointment, Rindels had been the Lieutenant of the Granville Police Department for five years.
A three-month appointment for Rindels as the chief, the Select Board will now go through the process of hiring a permanent Chief of Police in the next coming months.
“In the meantime, the (Select) Board has the utmost confidence in (Rick) Rindels,” said Streeter.
Ripley echoed Streeter’s statement on appointing Rindels as the temporary chief.
“I think we’ve got a good person coming in for the position and going to move the department forward,” said Ripley.
Rindels declined to comment on his appointment at this time.
