Town council votes to demote Nashville police chief

NASHVILLE, Indiana — The police chief of the Nashville Police Department is searching for answers today as the town council reviews her job performance.

Nashville Police Chief Heather Burris has been in the role since 2022.

During a town council meeting on Monday, the town council voted unanimously to demote Burris from her current role as chief.

The council didn’t accept public comment until after the vote was taken.

In a letter from the town's attorney attained by WRTV, the following reasons for Burris' termination were given.

• Failure to provide coverage for town of Nashville
• Failure to have foot patrol presence in Nashville
• Failure to stop reserve officers from using cars for personal use
• Failure to move within 20 miles of Nashville
• Failure to cut down on overtime hours

WRTV

Nashville Police do not operate 24/7.

The same letter requests Burris to resign instead of being terminated from the role.

Burris refused to resign.

“I am going to stand my ground,” Burris told WRTV.

Burris feels that the complaints laid out in the town council come down to budgetary issues.

“I did to my best ability, provide the best police department under my leadership that I was capable of of providing with the allocations that I was I was working with.”

Wanda E. Jones is the lead attorney for the Nashville town Council.

She told WRTV that regular police activities weren’t being done.

“Her community involvement was not the issue,” shared Jones.

“The issue was that regular police activities were not being done.”

Neighbors voiced concerns with the town’s handling of the demotion and their lack of transparency.

“I feel like we didn't get to hear anything about an investigative report,” shared lifetime Nashville resident Jessica George.

“She has tried so hard. We have some of the lowest paid police officers in the state of Indiana…There's things that are beyond her control. They can't fire her for something that she has no control over.”

Burris said she will continue to serve the Nashville community despite the demotion and thanks those she served alongside of.

“I have to give credit to my police department and the officers from the past and the present that have been willing to stand up and work on this mission with me,” Burris shared.

“It is very important, and I don't want that to go unnoticed.”

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