Tybee Island officials, suspended police chief meet

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By Don Logana - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - It's been two months since Tybee Island Police Chief Jimmy Price was suspended. On Friday morning, a meeting between Price, his attorney and Tybee Island's city manager and the city attorney took place.

There is still mystery surrounding the meeting, where there was some sort of negotiation. About what, is still unclear. Was it for Price to return to his job, resign from it or something else?

The meeting took place Friday morning in downtown Savannah at the law offices of Bubba Hughes, the city of Tybee Island attorney. The two sides met from 8:30 a.m. until about 1:30 p.m., but avoided WTOC's cameras and questions.

City Manager Diane Schleicher told WTOC by phone, after they had left: "No resolution. No comment," Schleicher said.

Price was suspended shortly after an incident in May involving at least two of his police officers and the Tasing and arrest of 18 autistic teen, Clifford Grevemberg. The officers has since resigned, the case was turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. GBI turned its report over to the Chatham County District Attorney's office for a final decision.

Price was suspended. Since then, Schleicher has told WTOC she would wait for the DA's office decision on the case before dealing with the Price situation.

However, she was candid when asked Friday afternoon if she was growing impatient with the delays in the DA's handling of the Tybee case. "It would be nice if they came to a decision," Schleicher said. "I have decisions to make. I know the public wants to see the GBI report, too."

Schleicher said she understands the delay, however, as she said the DA's office is dealing with problems of their own.

WTOC spoke to members of the Tybee Island Police Department, who say they have 18 full-time and 30 part-time employees who are in a holding pattern while Price's future remains in limbo. They'd like to see a decision made soon, too.

Meanwhile, a representative for the Chatham County District Attorney's Office said there has been no movement on the Tybee Island case, and DA Larry Chisolm has requested further information. When the office first received the case, they told WTOC they expected it would not take long for a decision.