Senoia's highest

profile police officer was quietly relieved of his duties Sept. 19.

Officer Richard

Jewell was terminated from his job, barely six months after he started

his career in Senoia in late March.

In records

obtained from the city of Senoia, the main reason for Jewell's termination

seems to be his interpersonal skills.

"You were

employed as a police officer with the city of Senoia on March 25, 2002

and since that time have been employed as a probationary employee. During

this period, your skills, work habits, conduct and relationships with

others have been observed."

"Regrettably,

your conduct and interpersonal working relationships with individuals

in the police department, including your superiors and others in city

government, have not been satisfactory," wrote Mayor Dianne Cleveland

to Jewell in a letter dated Sept. 18.

Cleveland's

letter followed a letter dated Sept. 11 from Police Chief Chuck Cannarella,

who recommended Jewell's termination.

"Officer

Jewell has stated that he is not happy with the work environment in the

Senoia Police Department," said Cannarella.

The police

chief added the employment relationship is "not working out"

and it would be beneficial for all parties for the relationship to end.

In August,

Jewell had questioned the scheduling of the Police Department.

"When

the new schedule was completed and we were informed by the administration

that the officers were considered by seniority as to what shift they would

work, I was puzzled as I had not been advised, contacted or questioned

as to if I would like to be on the new swing rotation rather than the

morning watch which I am currently assigned," Jewell wrote in an

Aug. 9 memo.

Responding

to Jewell's memo, Major Ollita Bennett claimed Jewell knew about the schedule

when he was hired.

"I know

you aren't happy with this shift, but I did ask you in your interview

if you could work all shifts and you said yes. I have contacted (former

police chief) Crowder this week and asked if at anytime he promised you

a certain shift. His responses was no, that he did not promise you a certain

shift and also you were told we are too small to have a traffic unit,"

Bennett wrote Aug. 10.

City administrator

Murray McAfee would not comment on the case.