Mississippi University for Women Friday terminated its new Campus Police Chief John Harris, MUW Director of Public Affairs Anika Perkins confirmed that afternoon.
Harris, who has only been on the job since April 20, also serves as Ward 5 city councilman in Meridian, where he currently is running for re-election.
Harris was informed by the university he would have to move to Columbus permanently as a condition of his hiring. However, state law requires municipal representatives live in the political area they represent.
MUW planned to allow Harris to finish out his term, which expires in July, before requiring the move to Columbus.
For weeks, Harris had been silent about whether or not he was going to drop from the Meridian race, but announced Thursday he intended to stay in the running.
MUW will not comment on the specific reason Harris was let go, but MUW Assistant to the President and Chief Counsel Perry Sansing has said in the past it would be close to impossible for Harris effectively to serve both MUW and Meridian.
“It is a personnel matter and I cannot discuss it,” said Sansing. “We”ve got an excellent police department staffed with professional individuals. We will immediately begin the process of searching for a new chief, but I want it to be clear the safety of MUW is our No. 1 priority.”
Sansing said as of right now no one person will be tapped as interim chief, but the responsibilities will be split among the department”s shift leaders.
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