Ron Brown

Butler Police Chief Ron Brown retired Monday, after escalating tensions with rank-and-file officers in the department became public last week.

Mayor Ben Smith said Brown submitted a retirement letter to him in solicitor Tom Breth's office.

“I accepted it,” Smith said.

Smith placed Brown, a department veteran with more than 25 years of service, and Deputy Chief Dave Adam, who also has more than 25 years service with the department, on paid administrative leave Thursday after the police department officers' union cast a vote of no confidence in both of them.

Adam remains on leave.

Brown turned in his keys to the police station and said it was a pleasure to serve the city, Smith said.

“He didn't elaborate much,” Smith said.

City Council will vote on accepting Brown's retirement at its next meeting Aug. 23.

Attorney Al Lindsay, who is representing Brown and Adam, confirmed Brown's retirement.

“Chief Brown has retired. Mr. Adam has not retired as of this time and no action has been taken (by the city),” Lindsay said.

He declined further comment on the situation.

Smith said the compensation Brown will receive will be calculated by the city.

“He'll get full retirement,” Smith said.

He declined to comment on when and how a new chief will be selected, but said Capt. James Hollobaugh remains the officer in charge of the 21-man department.

A dispute about department leadership had been building for months.

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 32, which represents the department's officers, cast a no-confidence vote June 5 and presented a letter to Smith on June 26 detailing officers' concerns regarding Brown and Adam.

In a statement, the union said the vote was held because of a lack of leadership and poor decision-making, a lack of strategy in addressing current criminal activity in the city and a lack of cooperation with news media.

Council members and Smith have met with the FOP in executive session and Smith said he has met with Brown and Adam.