Politics & Government

Initial Interviews Scheduled Today of Four Lithonia City Police Chief Candidates

The city council in September voted to let Lithonia's acting police chief go after a judge upheld a revocation of his certification.

A citizens review committee has narrowed down 21 applications for the vacant City of Lithonia police chief job down to four candidates, who are scheduled to be interviewed today, the city council discussed at its work session on Monday.

After these initial interviews, the committee will give the council its recommendations. The council could begin its interview of candidates as soon as early November, Mayor Deborah Jackson said.

Last month, the City Council voted to relieve acting police chief Washington Varnum Jr. of his duties after an administrative law judge upheld a revocation of his certification, leaving him with no arrest powers.

Varnum had previously worked in the DeKalb Marshal's office. According to news outlets, he had a spotty record while a deputy marshal, and in 2010 had returned an eviction notice for himself.

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