QUITMAN, Ga. (WTXL) - Quitman's now former Police Chief Calvin Troy abruptly left the department just days ago. Now he's speaking out.
Troy said officers were trying to arrest a man who they suspected was driving a stolen car.
During the pursuit, the man got out of his car and ran off, leaving the car in the middle of the road and three kids in the back seat.
He says one resident called Dennard to come to the scene on Main Street, and she did.
But, when she got to the scene Troy says she was quote "disrespected" by an officer.
"If she's interfering with his investigation, he has the right to lock her up, and that's what he said."
A reporter reached out to Dennard multiple times but, she has yet to return any of her messages.
Troy said it's that type of involvement that led him to leave earlier than he originally planned.
"Councilwoman Mattie Neloms asked me what was the problem, and why I was leaving, and I told them," Troy said. "I said the mayor is a bully. It's because of the mayor. She comes to the police department, wanting to take over, and shut down half of the police department."
Troy has been with the Quitman Police Department for 12 years, and has been the police chief since March of this year.
Dennard became mayor January 1.
He says because of her mismanagement, he believed the best option for him was to leave, even though he didn't want too.
"I didn't want to leave, but I knew things weren't going to change," he said. "And I really enjoyed my job over there because over there respected me. And if they get Mayor Dennard out of there, I'll come back and work for them."
This month, Troy and six officers have left, leaving the community worried about what will happen to the police department.
Brooks County Sheriff Mike Dewey does not anticipate the department shutting down.
However, he says if the department needs assistance with calls and patrols they'll be there to help like they always.
A reporter also reached out to City Manager Willie Burns and City Attorney Karla Walker, and neither have yet to return any of her calls.
