LaFayette's Public Safety Director is no longer employed by the city. Tommy Freeman served as the police and fire chief since 2007 but was fired Wednesday morning. He will be replaced in the interim by the assistant chief Benjie Clift.

A search reportedly will be conducted for a permanent replacement.  Freeman will receive all salary and vacation due as well as retirement benefits. The city manager said he and the city council had been considering Freeman's dismissal for some time.

Several empoyees had publicly complained that Freeman's language was, at times, "abusive" … and their work environment was "hostile." There was a public outcry when Freeman fired a firefighter earlier this year on an insubordination charge after he refused to install a radio in a city public works truck. The council affirmed that dismissal.  

Two police department employees who were fired by Freeman, were both reinstated.