Who's in charge today at the controversy-wracked Fayetteville Police Department?

City Manager Joe Morton is, according to Mayor Kenneth Steele.

It all may be coincidence, but the simultaneous retirement of Fayetteville Police Chief Johnny Roberts and the resignation of Major Steve Ledbetter announced Thursday by Mayor Steele came on the heels of an escalating controversy within the department that surfaced in April when former Officer Harold Simmons filed two federal discrimination complaints.

With Maj. Simmons demoted and then fired, Maj. Ledbetter resigning and Chief Roberts retiring, the police department is suddenly bereft of all management personnel above the rank of lieutenant.

After the meeting, City Manager Morton said the departure of Roberts and Ledbetter was not related to Simmons' discrimination complaints. The transition represents a new direction for the police department, Morton said.

Before a packed council meeting audience, Steele and city officials offered no other reasons for the otherwise unexplained resignation and retirement of the top two remaining officers in the 40-plus-member police department.

Steele Thursday night announced the personnel moves that came as added agenda items at the meeting, stating that Roberts' retirement would be effective Aug. 1 and Ledbetter's resignation would be effective Aug. 31. The council voted unanimously, without discussion, to accept the retirement and resignation.

Both men, Steele said, would be on paid administrative leave until the effective dates of their departures.

Steele informed the meeting's packed house that he and Morton would meet the following morning with senior staff in the police department regarding the administrative changes in the department and other matters related to the operation of the department.

The mayor added that the city would begin advertising for the chief's position. He then quickly moved on to remaining items on the meeting agenda.

Speaking during the public comments portion of the meeting, Simmons thanked those present for supporting his attempt to get his job back. Simmons said he had worked hard and was standing on his reputation.

"I am a leader and I think the officers are ready to follow. I'm not here to point fingers. I love the people of Fayetteville and I'm ready to bring myself