Athens forces out police chief, citing officer discontent

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There's an interim leader of the Athens-Clarke County police after Chief Scott Freeman resigned at the request of the county manager.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports that County Manager Blaine Williams named police Capt. Mike Hunsinger to lead the force while the county looks for a new police chief.

The manager says he asked Freeman to resign or be fired. Freeman lists his departure as an "involuntary resignation" because that makes him eligible for severance pay.

Williams says he's been concerned for months that officers are leaving because of discontent with Freeman. The newspaper reports the department is 29 officers short of its full complement of 225.

Mayor Nancy Denson says Freeman "wasn't a good fit" for Athens.

The department has seen two controversies this summer over videos showing police conduct.