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Cockrell Hill police chief resigns after mayor's investigation
[April 25, 2008]

Cockrell Hill police chief resigns after mayor's investigation


(Dallas Morning News, The (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Apr. 25--The chief of the Cockrell Hill Police Department has resigned after a secret internal investigation requested by the city's mayor.

Catherine Smit, who was also recently a Dallas County sheriff's candidate, was placed on paid administrative leave from April 9 to 14. She submitted her resignation last Friday.

"The inquiry was dropped, and I chose to resign," Ms. Smit said Thursday. "I've been there nearly four years, I've done an incredible amount of hard work to turn that police department around into a professional agency, and it's just time to move on."



Mayor Luis Carrera has declined to discuss the nature of the investigation or its findings.

"It pertains to personal information with Chief Smit, so you'll have to ask her," he said.


But a memo released by city officials as a result of a public-records request reveals some details. The memo was sent from the mayor to police Lt. Michael Sellers on April 9.

"Review the personnel file of CHPD Officer Troy Wayne Willmon and determine if there is any reasonable cause to suspect submission of false statements by Officer Willmon on his job application for the CHPD," the memo said.

The mayor also asked the lieutenant to find out what recommendations and instructions Ms. Smit gave to the board of officers who evaluated Officer Willmon, whether any special considerations were given to him and who was responsible for his background check.

Officer Willmon, 34, was hired in January 2007, according to state records. He could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Ms. Smit, 47, had led the small department since 2004.

Lt. Sellers, who has been with the department since 2005, will serve as interim chief until the city hires a permanent replacement, officials said.

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