Former Midland City police chief denied hearing

By Ebony Horton

Published: July 24, 2009

A difference of opinion in how Keith Rinehardt left the Midland City Police Department could move outside the city’s jurisdiction after he was denied a hearing before the city council.

Rinehardt, who served as the city’s police chief, was no longer chief after a discussion between he and Midland City Mayor Virgil Skipper earlier this month.

City attorney Bob Brogden said Rinehardt was denied a chance to file a grievance with the town that would be heard before the council because he voluntarily left the city department after refusing to mark his patrol car.

“He was not fired, he was not suspended, he walked out. As far as we are concerned he can’t contest being fired because he wasn’t,“ Brogden said.

Rinehardt’s attorney, Tom Brantley, said Rinehardt was fired and plans to contest how he lost his job. Brantley said the case could move to circuit court.

Brantley said Rinehardt was fired after being accused of using his police vehicle for personal use when he worked a security job at BamaJam.

“The mayor asked for his badge, and to us that means he was fired. My client would not have quit that job,“ Brantley said.

“My client loved that job. His wife is there, his family’s there.“