BY JENNIFER MOONSONG
GLASGOW NEWS 1
After being asked to resign, Glasgow Police Department Chief Jennifer Arbogast plans to retire from her position April 1.
Arbogast was asked to resign Tuesday, in a private meeting between Mayor Henry Royse and her, Arbogast said. Royse took office Jan. 1.
Glasgow Police Department Chief Jennifer Arbogast chats with Mayor Henry Royse at the conclusion of Monday’s Glasgow Common Council meeting, which had included a 45-minute closed session regarding a personnel matter. MELINDA J. OVERSTREET / GLASGOW NEWS 1
When Royse asked Arbogast for her resignation, she told Glasgow News 1, she inquired as to why she was being asked to step away from her position, and the mayor likened her to a football coach, stating that even a good coach is asked to leave if the team doesn’t win. She asked whether she could take her retirement in lieu of resigning, and it was agreed that she could, she said.
“I inquired as to what I had done, and he told me I had done a lot of great things for Glasgow and a lot great things for the department. He said it was just about personnel and officers’ leaving the department. I asked if there was anything I could do, or if I could have an opportunity to fix it. He told me he was going to make the change. I asked how people changing departments was my fault, when it is happening everywhere in law enforcement these days, especially in departments with low hourly pay,” Arbogast said.
When she inquired about the possibility of taking her retirement, he asked how long the process would take and asked her to let him know by Wednesday.
Arbogast has served the community of Glasgow as a law enforcement officer for 21 years. She is the first and only female officer in the county to complete the FBI National Academy training.
She officially took office as chief in July 2019; however, she was the unofficial head of the department from May until July of that year.
GN1 contacted Royse by phone Thursday morning regarding this matter and was asked whether he had requested Arbogast’s resignation.
“Well, no. She has indicated that she’s thinking of retiring, but there is really nothing to be said, but as soon as we have something officially, we will release that and let you know,” Royse replied.
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