Mt. Carmel Police Chief Says He's Being Forced to Retire
By: Chris Veech
Updated: January 17, 2013
A Tri-State police chief says the town's mayor is forcing him to retire. Jeff Besing has been on medical leave since last October. According to Mt. Carmel's Daily Republican Register, Besing says he received medical clearance to return to work, but Mayor Bill Hudson is now forcing him into retirement with no explanation.
The mayor tells Eyewitness News Besing entered a mutual agreement with the city in November stating he would voluntarily retire if the city did not agree he could return to his duties. The city also says it received a letter from Besing earlier this week stating his intent to retire from the Mt. Carmel Police Department to become police chief in Palestine, Illinois. Besing's retirement takes effect tomorrow. He allegedly starts his new position in Palestine on January 21. Sergeant John Lockhart is serving as interim.
