Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson: Prine was insubordinate

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said he had no choice but to place Paul Prine on administrative leave due to the Police Chief’s deteriorating relationship with his direct bosses: Public Safety Director Rob Lasky and Chief of Staff James Barber.

“It is definitely borderline, if not outright, direct insubordination,” Stimpson said.

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The chief is appointed by the mayor but directly answers to the Public Safety Director and Chief of Staff. Stimpson said Prine became convinced the two “were out to get him.”

“He became increasingly convinced that there was a conspiracy to oust him, and as he became more convinced, it became more combative,” Stimpson said.

Three weeks ago, Prine sent Stimpson an email with several complaints and accusations about Lasky and Barber.

Stimpson said they were all investigated by the city attorney.

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“There has been no evidence of anything being done illegally,” the Mayor said, calling Prine’s description of himself as a “whistleblower” unfounded.

Stimpson said Prine was not fully cooperative with the study now being conducted by former U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown. Brown was hired by the Mobile City Council to evaluate the police department’s procedures, policies and practices.

It was during this process, Stimpson said, that several people reported that Prine told officers “F— the public.”

“It set off all sort of bells and whistles, saying this is a problem if this is the attitude the leader, and that has to permeate throughout the department in some form or fashion,” Stimpson said.

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Stimpson said he offered Prine a generous severance package due to his 27 years of service and pending litigation against the City that will involve the Chief.

Mayor Stimpson said that the offer is no longer on the table, and he hopes to receive Prine’s letter of resignation within the next couple of weeks. If not, Stimpson said, he will go to the City Council to terminate Prine.

Since being placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday, Prine has said he will resign and might seek legal action.

Stimpson said he hates the entire situation.

“My concern is the black eye this gives to the police department and to the City of Mobile,” he said. “This is a really bad look that we’re having this conversation in a public forum.”

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