The South Haven City Council has heard an earful from residents unhappy with the ongoing search for a new police chief.
At Monday’s regular meeting of the council, several residents spoke during public comments about the recent hiring and then resignation of former Chief Dennis Honholt. Many urged the council to hire South Haven Police Department Sergeant Patrick Carlotto for the job after he was previously passed over.
Henry Compton said he heard the word “local” a lot during Monday’s long council meeting. So, why not “local” when it comes to getting a chief of police?
“Shop local. That’s my thing. We got a local guy. Shop local. Keep it here.”
Some residents complained about embarrassment to the community after Honholt was hired, only for it to be learned he never resigned from his previous job in Tennessee. Retired South Haven Police Officer Antwon Bell wondered why Carlotto was denied the job of chief while the city sought an outside hire.
“Sergeant Carlotto is someone who is widely respected, highly experienced, and deeply committed to this community. He was not chosen, unfortunately, not because he was unqualified, not because he failed to meet the expectations, but because of a personal grudge.”
Bell said the grudge involved the city manager. Some asked for an independent investigation into the hiring process that led to Honholt.
The city is now looking for a new chief, which would be the third since the retirement of former Chief Natalie Thompson early this year.
