In a brief statement, the city did not give a reason for Chief Al Thomas’ departure, which was effective immediately. “Nothing in my career has brought me more pride than serving as the police chief for the city of Charlottesville,” Thomas, 50, said in the statement. “Chief Thomas’ slow-footed response to violence put the safety of all at risk and created indelible images of this chaotic event,” the report said. Deputy Police Chief Gary Pleasants will guide the department until an interim chief is formally appointed within the next week. Before joining the Charlottesville Police Department, Thomas had served as the police chief in Lexington, Virginia, since 2010.

Source: National Post December 18, 2017 20:10 UTC