WBOC 16 by Kye Parsons and Michael Lopardi - June 16, 2009
MILTON, Del.- Milton Police Chief William Phillips wants the town to publicly disclose why it is seeking to fire him. Phillips says the town sent him a letter June 3 saying officials wanted to fire him for 17 instances of alleged misconduct including alleged removal of video evidence of a tasering incident of a prisoner back in January of 2008. While Phillips is technically still an employee of the town of Milton, he is on administrative leave, according to Mayor Don Post. Post said that as of this point, the town's investigation of Phillips is complete. Post added that the complaints that led to the chief's suspension originated from two police officers. Phillips denies all of the charges against him. Phillips, who has served as Milton's police chief since 2001, said he is being punished for opposing bad government and corruption and is demanding a public hearing before the town council. "For some time now I have been opposing the mismanagement of the town and now it wants to fire me for my opposition to bad government," Phillips said in a statement issued by his attorney, Thomas S. Neuberger of Wilmington. "Sunlight is the best disinfectant for the corruption which is infecting the Town. The administration of the town of Milton is broken and it needs to be fixed. So instead of a Star Chamber private trial against me, I am inviting the general public and citizenry to a public trial of the false charges against me." Post said the town will hold a public hearing for the police chief within the next 30 days, though a specific date has not been set. Post said the town will lay out all of its evidence against Phillips, including photos, during the hearing. The town is required to hold the hearing under the Delaware Police Officer's Bill of Rights, according to Post.
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