Charlottesville Police Chief RaShall Brackney's contract was terminated Wednesday.
In a statement, the city manager said he was exercising the right to terminate the contract with 90 days notice and placed Brackney on paid administrative leave for that period. That period will end on November 30th.
In the announcement, Chip Boyles said he is "looking for a new leadership direction for the department." Major James Mooney, who earlier this week announced plans to retire, said he would continue in his position as Assistant Chief during the transition period.
Brackney has recently been publicly criticized by an organization representing officers. The city seemed to defend her leadership last month though. In a statement then, city officials defended the changes she had made within the department, admitting those changes “will not be popular among the individuals whose behavior is being required to change.”
Wednesday's statement from Boyles did not give an explanation of what led him to change course.
Wednesday night, Mayor Nikuya Walker spoke on social media about Brackney's termination. Walker supported Brackney and said he was shocked by her dismissal. “People who are not anti-racist are struggling with a chief who’s trying to create an anti-racist police department and she’s the one out?” Walker said the city manager’s decision to get rid of Brackney was a sign that “white supremacy is winning.”
