The former director of the city police gang task force said Thursday that murders and shootings have risen sharply following changes by Police Chief Fred Fletcher.
Todd Royval, testifying in a Chancery Court lawsuit, said for several years he was heavily involved in follow-up of almost all Chattanooga shootings and murders. He said he had a top unit in place with excellent contacts and intelligence gathering ability.
But he said there were a number of changes "with the new administration."
The former police lieutenant said he was told that he would no longer be able to pick the officers who worked under him, but they would be selected without his input.
He said "one of my top right-hand men" - Josh May - was taken away.
The witness said it was told to him that there was an effort to have police personnel be able to work in a number of different jobs. He said he did not agree with that approach, saying, "There are jobs I know I would not be good at."
Mr. Royval said he made an appeal to Chief Fletcher, asking, "Why are you messing with what is working?" But he said the new chief from Texas continued to implement the new approach.
As a result, he said he took some time off, then was offered a job in the private sector. He retired from the police department at age 45 last year.
The witness said, "When we had our unit in place, there were 25 murders the year I left. There have already been 24 this year."
He said, "We had things working. These changes were the craziest thing I had ever seen."
Mr. Royval said, "I loved being a police officer. I pretty much sold my soul to the city of Chattanooga. I spent more time with thugs and criminals than my own children.
"I did not want to quit being a police officer. I gave my life to it. But they pushed me away."
He testified in a case in which 28 police officers are suing the city over the police plan.
Chancellor Pam Fleenor is presiding in the courtroom of Judge Marie Williams.