MILLERSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — After less than a year as Millersville’s police chief, Bryan Morris said he had ‘no choice’ but to submit his resignation.
In a statement to News 2, he accused the city’s Board of Commissioners and interim City Manager, Michael Gorham, of making his work environment intolerable, hostile and untenable.
“Despite the Board’s assurances, I have already been stripped of my position as Interim City Manager, and it is clear that the next broken promise will be the Board’s refusal to honor its prior commitment that neither I nor the staff I have hired would be terminated,” Morris said. “They have taken the bat out of my hands and it is only a matter of time before they call me out on strikes.”
On Sept. 4, 2024, the Millersville Police Department was locked down for internal evidence gathering for potential criminal activity. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) searched the police headquarters and City Hall. The agency did not disclose what they were searching for. The investigation is ongoing.
“Although my department was adequately handling an internal affairs investigation, the new City Manager and the Board appear to be using that investigation as a weapon against me, which is just another example of the badgering and harassment I have endured,” Morris said.
Morris, however, said his decision to step down had nothing to do with any investigation.
He shared that his last day will be Feb. 2.
“This will give me time to come in and meet with Captain Dorris and Lieutenant Watson and turn over all equipment as well as get them up to speed on what needs to be transitioned for the state as well as Mutual aid agreements that must be signed,” Morris said.
Morris’ full statement is below.
Dear Members of the Board and City Manager:
It is with deep regret that I submit this letter of resignation from my position as Chief of Police of the Millersville Police Department. Please understand that my desire was to continue serving as Chief, but it has become abundantly clear that the Board of Commissioners and the current City Manager do not intend to allow me to fulfill my duties in this capacity.
Despite the Board’s assurances, I have already been stripped of my position as Interim City Manager, and it is clear that the next broken promise will be the Board’s refusal to honor its prior commitment that neither I nor the staff I have hired would be terminated.
The Board’s interference with my position has made the work environment intolerable. The Board concealed an employee complaint from me, which should have been addressed to me in my authority as Interim City Manager or as the Chief of Police. Now, the Board is allowing the new City Attorney to investigate Police Department matters and interfere with an internal affairs investigation, even though the complaint is not an ethics investigation.
I have been deprived of my authority to determine which officers can supervise others, and I am now being micromanaged to the extent that it is detrimental to both my role and the department’s ability to function effectively. Moreover, Commissioner Darnall’s active attempts to turn my own officers against me and each other, coupled with the City Manager’s direct control over the Police Department, have created a toxic atmosphere. Although my department was adequately handling an internal affairs investigation, the new City Manager and the Board appear to be using that investigation as a weapon against me, which is just another example of the badgering and harassment I have endured.
The interference by the Board and City Manager have left me with no choice but to submit this resignation, as they have taken the bat out of my hands and it is only a matter of time before they call me out on strikes.
Despite my sincere love of working with the citizens of Millersville to rebuild a broken police department, it has become clear that this Commission is determined to undo the important progress that my team and I have made to fix the very problems that have plagued this City for years.
I did not undertake this decision lightly. The board’s actions have left me with no feasible path to continue serving the City in an environment that has become not just hostile, but untenable.
I want to express my gratitude to the dedicated men and women of the Millersville Police Department who have worked tirelessly by my side doing important work. We have achieved a great deal together, and it pains me to leave under these circumstances. Nonetheless, I must acknowledge that remaining any longer would only risk further harm to my professional reputation and well-being.
My last day will officially be February the 2nd. This will give me time to come in and meet with Captain Dorris and Lieutenant Watson and turn over all equipment as well as get them up to speed on what needs to be transitioned for the state as well as Mutual aid agreements that must be signed.
Bryan Morris, Chief of Police, Millersville Police Department
