Clash at Committee Meeting Over Davis

An introduction of a resolution to accept Springfield Police Captain Peter Davis's retirement led to a standoff at the July 13 meeting of Springfield's Township Committee.

Springfield Mayor Ziad Shehady, who led the meeting via webcam, introduced a resolution accepting Captain Davis's retirement at the onset of the meeting.  During public comments, Davis voiced his objection to the resolution; he wasn't retiring, he said. He didn't understand why the resolution was being introduced, and said that he was not properly notified of it.

Last month, the Prosecutor's office assumed control of Springfield's police department after Davis, the highest-ranking member of the force, announced his retirement from the force and resignation from his leadership position. Davis's resignation came after a much-discussed executive meeting discussion of Davis's future with the force where the Township Committee declined to name Davis acting chief. He later returned to the department. 

"No one asked me if I was retiring," Davis said. "Guess what? I'm not retiring. I'm telling you now, face to face."

Davis said that when he returned to active duty, it was a clear indication that he was not following the actions stated in his retirement letter. That letter stated he would be taking vacation time; he returned to work shortly after the Prosecutor's Office assumed control of the force.

"I've been here every day working with the Union County Department," Davis said.

Shehady said that the resolution was a matter of procedure. The meeting was the first after Davis announced his retirement, Shehady said, and that the Committee needed to vote to accept the retirement announcement.

"The issue is that the last notice I received from you was your intention to retire," Shehady said.

Township Attorney Jeffrey Lehrer said that the last written communication the township had received concerning Davis's employment with the police force was from the state Division of Pensions.

"There's nothing in writing to the contrary," Lehrer said.

Police have 90 days after announcing their retirement to file all of their forms with the state Division of Pensions. If they are not filed in that time, their retirement application is canceled.