Former Clemson police chief retired because city council impeded ability to lead, letter says

Longtime City of Clemson Police Chief Jimmy Dixon retired Wednesday due to a conflict with Clemson City Council that impeded his ability to "effectively lead," according to Dixon's letter of intent to retire. 

Within 24 hours of Dixon's retirement announcement, longtime city administrator Rick Cotton and Chief Municipal Judge Teresa Daniel announced they were leaving the city's employment. 

The Greenville News and Independent Mail obtained Dixon's and City Administrator Rick Cotton's letters of separation from the city through a Freedom of Information Act request.

"I am retiring because I feel I can no longer effectively lead the Department as the direct result of the actions of several members of Council," Dixon's letter states. The chief was not under investigation, "threatened or otherwise," at the time of his retirement. 

The News and Mail reached out to Dixon for comment by phone. 

Cotton, who has worked alongside Dixon for more than two decades, said his decision to leave the city is not connected to Dixon's retirement. 

"My decision and discussion with City Council had nothing to do with any date that Chief Dixon would have chosen to resign from the Police Department," Cotton wrote in an email. 

In his email, Cotton said Dixon told him last year he planned to retire in 2020, "... but I did not ask him to give me any specific date and that choice was his to make entirely."

Dixon submitted his letter Monday and had his last day Wednesday. The decision to retire after 17 years as chief came after several members of city council interfered with Dixon's chain of command, according to the letter.

"I am disappointed that individual members of Council have chosen to interfere with established policy in a way that undermines my ability to maintain the chain of command," the letter states. 

What we know:Longtime Clemson City police chief and judge retire, city administrator resigns

Dixon explained that when police officers are not required to follow a police chief's chain of command, it can lead to "serious consequences," including bodily harm and death. A chain of command is set forth in each law enforcement agency leader's General Orders and provides strict rules on who and how officers report in the line of duty. 

"I strongly urge Council not to impair the new Chief's ability to maintain order and discipline in the same way."

It is unclear which members of Clemson's seven-member council to which Dixon is referring. The News and Mail reached out to all members except Alesia Smith, who is on medical leave, by phone and email for comment. 

"I think the Chief's letter stands on its own," Council member John Ducworth wrote in an email. "I've supported Chief Dixon throughout my tenure on council and still do."

Ducworth has served on city council for eight years. 

In an email, Mayor Cook denied being one of the members referenced to in Dixon's letter. 

Deputy Chief Jeff Stone will take control of department operations until an interim or new chief is named. 

Dixon served as a SC law enforcement officer for 42 years and is "fully vested" into the state pension program for his retirement, according to city attorney Mary McCormac. Dixon will also receive six months of severance pay and benefits, equal to about one week per year of service to the City of Clemson, according to his letter.

In his 24-year tenure with the city, Dixon made changes to enhance officers' quality of life and update policing methods to modern standards, according to a statement Mayor JC Cook read aloud at Monday's council meeting. 

"I am very proud to have worked with so many dedicated officers, and I will continue to follow their careers a they move forward," Dixon's letter states. 

Longtime city administrator resigns same day

Cotton, who served as administrator for more than 20 years, resigned the same day as Dixon announced his retirement. Cotton submitted a memorandum of understanding (MOU), or mutual agreement between two parties, that served as his separation agreement. 

Cotton stated no reason for his departure. His last day will be Jan. 31.

Clemson City Council:Moratorium on housing developments approved; city administrator, police chief leave city

The city agreed to a 12-month severance period, where Cotton will be available for consultation in any city matters and will be covered under city and state benefit programs, according to the MOU. 

The vacation and annual leave Cotton has accrued during his 24-year tenure with city will be paid out on a bi-monthly basis, beginning in January 2021. 

As of Monday, Cotton will only complete administrative tasks and not attend council meetings or workshops, according to his letter. Assistant city administrator Andy Blondeau will serve as acting administrator until a new administrator is named. 

"My parting with the City was on an amicable basis and will be good for our community in the future," Cotton wrote in an email. In the same email, Cotton said he would not have "much to say later" on his separation from the city. 

The same night Cotton announced his resignation, city council passed a six to nine month moratorium on all large-scale housing developments. The moratorium ordinance created a 12-member steering committee to draft a community masterplan for the city, on which Cotton would have served in an advisory capacity. 

Zoe covers Clemson for The Greenville News and Independent Mail. Reach her at znicholson@gannett.com or Twitter @zoenicholson_