Jacksonville’s Police Chief Steps Down

The Jacksonville police chief, who came under fire for what residents are calling offensive Facebook posts, has resigned. A news release from the city of Jacksonville, released shortly after noon on Thursday, said Chief Reece Daniel’s resignation is effective immediately. Until a replacement is hired, assistant police chief Captain Daniel Franklin will serve as interim police chief. Daniel came under fire for messages he posted on Facebook, calling out politicians and residents. The city attorney’s office had even been investigating to see whether any of the activity occurred on the city’s time.

KETK reported that Daniel said on Facebook, “By the way dummies, your name shows up even when you post anonymously.” He was referring to an app called “See-Click-Fix” that allows residents to share concerns about the city. City Attorney Joe Angle says his office is looking into the case. According to Angle, “Things that people say on their own time on their own computers may be things that you or I wish they hadn’t said, but they are entitled to their own freedoms under the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution.