By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

 

Citing the changes to Guyton’s city government leadership in addition to ongoing online abuse, verbal harassment during council meetings that created a hostile work environment, and propagation of falsehoods against Guyton police officers, Chief James Breletic submitted his letter of resignation in December effective Jan. 20.

Breletic was sworn in as chief in March 2020.

“I informed you that if certain individuals were elected to the council and subsequently ordered you to terminate my employment without cause, it would be difficult for anyone to work under such circumstances,” Breletic wrote in his resignation letter to Guyton City Manager Meketa Brown.

“It is important to note that as you are aware, I have not engaged in any misconduct, have never received a negative performance evaluation, and have constantly strived to uphold the highest professional standards for our city,” Breletic’s letter continued.

For now, Guyton Police Lt. Joseph Coppola will manage the day-to-day operations of the department, but is not taking the title “interim police chief,” according to Breletic.

Breletic listed several things he was able to accomplish in his nearly four years as Guyton Police Chief.

“We were tasked with getting more officers for the police department, which we did,” Breletic said.

In 2019, Guyton Police Department had one officer. Currently, there are eight officers in addition to Breletic.

Breletic said. “(We) put more cops on the street. (We) were able to cut down crime. There's no way to understand how to measure the crime reduction, but the officers did a fantastic job.”

As for finances, Breletic said the department never asked for “frivolous stuff”, just what they needed and was always under budget. The most recent purchase approved by City Council in September 2023 was new radios since replacement parts for the old radios were no longer available from the manufacturer. Eight new radios cost $23,600 and were covered from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds.

As for working with surrounding agencies, Breletic said, “Words can't express the work that was done in the past administration. Words cannot express how well Guyton Police Department works with the sheriff's office, Springfield Police Department, Rincon Police Department, Savannah, all of our surrounding counties all the way up to Atlanta. People know, Guyton is there, because doors have been opened and our officers write good reports. They make good cases.”

Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie said, “We will continue to work with and support the Guyton Police Department.”

Breletic took the opportunity to comment on social media and how it’s affected morale at the Guyton Police Department.

“Social media is out there for a good purpose, I assume. It's just not my era,” Breletic said. “And you can say anything you want to on social media, whether it's a truth, a lie, make believe, (or) your imagination,” Breletic said. “You can say anything you want and a lot of people on the social media posts that I saw, people who don't even live in the city, or from out of state. We had people threatening the officer’s lives.”

For example, a post on a Facebook page from Jan. 2 stated, "A new year for the City of Guyton and new leadership. The people have voted and are excited about having a competent police department after years of failure and disappointment. Hopefully the Chief will be packing his bags soon what a show of poor leadership and judgement." The post has since been removed.

Breletic added that he asked for a meeting with Mayor Andy Harville, “but he put it off” and the council went into Executive Session at the first council meeting on Jan. 10.

The Herald left messages for Mayor Harville at both City Hall and his cell number; and has not received a call back.