VIDEO: Community Supports Chief Oscar Lewis

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Among the recommendations in a consultant’s report on the Columbus Police Department is a change in leadership..potentially placing Chief Oscar Lewis on the hot seat.

But some members of the community are rallying behind Lewis.

“I understand the consultant coming in, but I feel like there needs to be some type of action plan set for him and you tell him what the problem is, and he have the opportunity to work on it- just not come in here and say, ‘hey, it’s time to go,'” says resident Darick Jones.

Jones is one of many residents upset with Dr. K.B. Turner’s recommendation to terminate Lewis.

“How is it that he’s supposed to fix something that’s been going on for years, in six months,” says Jones.

Lewis had only been on the force for 6 months when Turner first came in.

Jones feels Lewis adopted what he calls “a mess”.

“The situation he’s been put in, he’s only been there a year and trust me- it took longer than a year to get the city in the situation it’s in so it’s going to take him longer than a year to get us out of it,” says Jones.

To show support, he and other residents are having t-shirts made to wear specifically at the next city council meeting when the decision is supposed to be made.

“We’re gonna show up at the meeting early and set up shop there, we’re gonna be praying, we also have a couple of leaders there praying,” says Jones.

It turns out, Columbus residents have a history of backing their police leaders when pushed against a wall.

Back in 2005, Former Police J.D Sanders clashed with city leaders and eventually resigned- prior to that, citizens made a point to back him.

They had bumper stickers and signs made in support.

Jones says its important to advocate for our city leaders.

“If you take care of the inside the entire city of Columbus will be able to prosper from it,” says Jones.

Earlier today, Mayor Robert Smith wrote a letter to CPD officers explaining the current situation.

He warns them that even though discussion about the 95-page examination was tabled at the council’s last meeting, something will be done regarding change in the department.

The next meeting will be held on August 15th.

Smith is recommending that Turner stick around for another 6 months to work with the new incoming officers.