Natchez fire chief suspended

Published 12:25 am Friday, November 4, 2016

NATCHEZ — Natchez Fire Chief Aaron Wesley has been suspended for reportedly violating city policy.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said he suspended Wesley with pay Tuesday.

Grennell declined to say why Wesley was suspended, saying members of the board of aldermen have not had a chance to discuss the matter.

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The board meets Tuesday, and Grennell said Wesley’s suspension would be discussed then.

Grennell deferred questions about whether Wesley violated city policy or law to City Attorney Robert “Bob” Latham.

Latham said Wesley violated city policy, but would not say he was in violation of law “until we have further reviewed the facts.”

Ward 5 Alderman Benjamin Davis, who is chair of the city’s fire committee, also said Wesley violated city policy, but declined to provide details.

“We don’t want to say anything until the whole board has had a chance to discuss it,” he said.

In the meantime, Grennell said, Battalion Chief Leland Rymer has been appointed to lead the department in Wesley’s absence.

Wesley could not be reached for comment.

Wesley was appointed as fire chief in late July 2015 following the retirement of Chief Oliver Stewart.

Wesley joined the Natchez Fire Department in 1982 as a firefighter and served as lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and fire marshal before being named chief.