Blountsville Police Chief Shane Best has resigned after being placed on paid leave earlier in January amid confusion and controversy surrounding his employment status.

On January 7, Best received a letter informing him that the town intended to eliminate his position due to financial difficulties. The letter indicated that the decision was purely financial, and Best was to be laid off as part of cost-cutting measures. However, just a week later, the Blountsville Town Council reversed its position.

ABC33/40 revealed that at the January 14th meeting of the Blountsville Town Council, there was another executive session and a new announcement. The council said due to new evidence, Chief Best was not on paid leave due to a financial concern; instead, he was on paid leave due to a pre-disciplinary due process hearing.

CBS42 reported that Best’s attorneys expressed concern over the change, calling it retaliatory and unclear.

“We don’t know where that came from—it feels sort of like retaliation,” said Attorney Leroy Maxwell.

Best’s legal team also notified the town that he was owed $16,000 in retirement benefits, paid time off, and compensation for physical labor. They offered to settle for $13,000 under certain conditions.

When asked about the change in the town council’s reasoning, Council Member Ray Baxley stated it was due to “new information and evidence” that had come to light.

Despite the Council’s actions, no findings of wrongdoing were made against Best. In a statement following his resignation, Blountsville Mayor Danny Baker confirmed that the due process hearing would no longer be necessary.

Best’s resignation ends his tenure with the Blountsville Police Department, but questions remain about the circumstances leading to his departure.