WEST FRANKFORT – Three West Frankfort police officers spoke and showed their support for Deputy Chief Clint Willis at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

They said Willis has shown them respect, is doing a phenomenal job and back him 100 percent since he took the reins of the police department after Chief John Prudent’s retirement last year.

They made their comments in the wake of talk going around town about the city possibly hiring a new chief.

Mayor Tim Arview.

Following the meeting, Mayor Arview posted on his personal Facebook page that someone approached him interested in the position of police chief. The mayor said he completely mishandled the situation, and in the process, upset Willis and his family, the police officers, and members of the City Council. He apologized to everyone and said their voices have been heard. The mayor says there will be no changes to the police department for the foreseeable future and looks forward to continuing working with Willis as he makes improvements to the police department.