Vaiden Chief Remains Suspended

VAIDEN, Miss. (AP) – Vaiden Mayor Melvin Hawthorne says Police Chief Allen Vance has been suspended without pay until arson charges against the officer are resolved.

The Greenwood Commonwealth reports (http://bit.ly/12wEQ0v ) that the action was taken this week by the board of aldermen. Hawthorne says Fire Chief Donna Brooks will be interim police chief. Brooks has worked as a part-time police officer in Vaiden for 10 years.

Vance was charged with one count of arson and one count of conspiracy to commit arson on insured property after the state fire marshal’s office conducted an investigation into the burning of a vehicle in Grenada County on Feb. 10.

Vance has been Vaiden’s police chief since September 2010 and also works part-time with the Grenada Police Department. He is currently free on $30,000 bond.