Jeffersonville's police chief stepping down after 10 years of leadership

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) — Jeffersonville's police chief is stepping down after 10 years of leading the department in southern Indiana — a move that at first seemed mutual, but later took on a different tone.

Chief Kenny Kavanaugh held a news conference Thursday afternoon to make the announcement after a meeting with Mayor Mike Moore. While Kavanaugh is stepping down as chief, he will remain on the force as a captain.

"With pleasure, joy and completion, I feel really good to be able to stand before you today to say that I'm no longer going to be the chief of police," Kavanaugh said.

Kavanaugh led the department since March 2015 and initially framed his exit as mutual.

"I think this is a good thing," Kavanaugh said. "We're going to move to the next phase. There is no turbulent time, there's nothing that needs to be said. We need to move the goal forward with where we are."

However, Mayor Moore’s emailed statement suggested the leadership change was his decision.

"I've concluded that we need a change in leadership in the department in light of the ongoing financial pressures facing the city," Moore wrote in the release. "Some very difficult decisions will need to be made to ensure that our city remains fiscally sound while continuing to provide a top-notch police department."

Kavanaugh called the release an example of "political gamesmanship," saying, "That could have been released before I started speaking, that's being released now. So that's what I'm thankful now I'm moving on not being a part of."

Financial tensions have been simmering in Jeffersonville. On Aug. 11, Kavanaugh sent the mayor a letter citing budget concerns tied to Indiana’s new Senate Bill 1 and the department’s collective bargaining agreement. He pointed to the 5 days on, 4 days off police schedule, which pushed overtime costs up 40%—a strain on the department’s budget. Kavanaugh called it unsustainable, especially under “looming financial uncertainty.”

"We're in the midst of contract negotiations that have been a struggle," Kavanaugh said. He added, "I can reflect to you that discussions and topics and things haven't occurred with regards to the police department, other things with not being able to be privy of those conversations, which is kind of strange as an Executive leader."

Senate Bill 1, passed in April, lowers property taxes and provides homeowners a credit of up to 10%, capped at $300. But for cities, it cuts funding for first responders, schools, and parks. Many departments aren’t certain exactly how much money they'll lose.

Kavanaugh said, "If we are losing $21 million, that I don't know, but I've heard we are, we aren't, I don't know. The city of Jeffersonville Police Department has to be sustainable, and it has to be for the people."

In the press release following Kavanaugh’s announcement, Moore wrote that Assistant Chief Michael Scott McVoy will take over as interim chief "effective immediately." McVoy brings nearly 18 years of law enforcement experience to the role—14 of those years were spent with JPD after nearly three years with the Madison Police Department. McVoy wrote in the release that he looks forward to working with Moore and the department during the leadership change.

Kavanaugh and Moore both expressed full support for McVoy. When asked how the leadership change addresses the city’s financial pressures, Moore did not respond.

"I want to thank Kenny for his valuable service over his 10 years as chief," Moore wrote. "I think highly of Kenny and the Kavanaugh family. His dedication to the community and the department are unwavering."

The Jeffersonville Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 100 thanked Kavanaugh for his service and leadership in a statement Friday.

"Chief Kavanaugh has brought our agency leaps and bounds ahead in capability, and solidified our position as a leader in professional policing in our state and region," the Jeffersonville FOP said.

The FOP also said they "fully support" appointed interim chief McVoy, and look forward to working with him.

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Jeffersonville's police chief stepping down after 10 years of leadership