In a recent development, D.S. Teubert, the former police chief of the White Sulphur Springs Police Department in West Virginia, has resigned from his position following criticism surrounding the hiring of Timothy Loehmann, the former Cleveland police officer who fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice in 2014.

Mayor Kathy Glover announced Teubert's resignation during a city council meeting on Monday evening. Teubert has voluntarily demoted himself to the position of patrolman. Deputy Chief Julian R. Byer Jr. has been sworn in as the new chief of White Sulphur Springs.

The controversy sparked when it was revealed that Teubert had hired Loehmann as a probationary police officer and an at-will employee at the recommendation of Teubert himself. Loehmann had previously resigned from another police department after leaving Cleveland.

Mayor Glover expressed her understanding of the community's outrage during the meeting and took responsibility as the leader of the city. Glover stated that she trusted the hiring process and the due diligence of the department head when Loehmann was sworn in. However, she acknowledged that this hiring should not have occurred and pledged to change the city's hiring process for police officers.

Meeting with the city attorney, Glover reviewed the information in Loehmann's personnel file and subsequently met with him. Loehmann resigned immediately following the meeting. Glover apologized to the Rice family for the attention brought upon them and acknowledged that mistakes were made in the current hiring process.

In response to the incident, council member Ryan Lockhart proposed the creation of a public safety review board for the police department. The review board, consisting of the mayor, a council member, and a citizen at large approved by the council, would review and approve all police department hires, including the chief.

The city council unanimously approved Lockhart's proposal, as residents expressed disappointment in Loehmann's hiring and a lack of faith in Mayor Glover's leadership. Some residents called for her resignation, while others commended Lockhart for taking action to prevent such incidents in the future.

It is important to note that Loehmann's actions in the Tamir Rice shooting sparked nationwide protests over police treatment of Black individuals. Loehmann was fired by the Cleveland Police Department in 2017 due to inaccuracies found in his application.

Teubert, who did not comment on the matter, defended his decision to hire Loehmann during a previous interview, stating that he believed Loehmann had not committed any crimes and questioned whether he deserved to work as a police officer again.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the community remains focused on holding accountable those involved in the hiring of Loehmann and ensuring proper measures are in place to prevent such incidents in the future.