Cordele’s top cop resigns upon ultimatum

After serving the Cordele Police Department for 36 years, Chief Lewis Green told to retire or be fired

CORDELE, GA – In a surprising turn of events at Tuesday night’s work session of Cordele City Commissioners, Police Chief Lewis Green formally tendered his resignation after 36 years of service.

But Green’s exit wasn’t of his own design, as Cordele City Manager Roland McCarthy flatly states he gave Green a choice; retire from your position or be fired.

Green chose the former, selecting August 1st as his last day on the job.

McCarthy went ahead and put Green on administrative leave until his August 1st retirement date, effectively ending Green’s tenure as Chief of Police as of Wednesday morning.

Detective Scott Farrow will assume the Chief of Police post on an interim basis until Green’s successor is hired.

McCarthy says there are a number of reasons that factored into his decision for needed change in the police department, noting that Green’s management style was “old-school”. McCarthy also notes there are a dozen open patrol positions within the Cordele Police Department that have gone unfilled.

As Chief Green cleaned out his office this morning, he declined to comment about his departure or any future plans.

McCarthy says a search will soon begin for Chief Green’s replacement.