LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- New information is coming out about why Mt. Washington's mayor terminated the city's police chief.

According to an initial statement from Mayor Stuart Owen, Chief Marcus Laytham was notified on June 25 "of his removal as police chief and as a member of the Mt. Washington Police Department effective June 30, 2024."

Owen has been tight-lipped because of an open investigation, but told WDRB News that the firing has to do with a "lack of interest" by Laytham in a case in March. But again, Owen wouldn't comment about the case or what it involved.

Patrick Lawrence is a Mt. Washington Police officer and the president of the department's Fraternal Order of Police. He doesn't understand why Laytham was fired.  

"Why? He's been great leader, a great mentor. He has a lot of experience, and we really leaned on him for his knowledge," Lawrence said. 

When the mayor terminated Laytham Tuesday, Lawrence said the city left the department in the dark.

"We actually sent a letter to the mayor saying how much we liked him and how we wanted to see him continue his service as chief," Lawrence explained.

But Owen didn't want to see him continue. The mayor said that in late March, the city received a letter from an attorney that said the chief showed a lack of interest in investigating a case.

"That was concerning, and my office had to take action to make sure an investigation was performed," Owen said.

The mayor wouldn't say what the case is about because it's an open investigation. He did say it wasn’t the only reason he terminated Laytham.

"It's usually harder to do the right thing and that's what I'm standing up for, this community deserves it," Owen said.

Laytham's termination happened in the midst of collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the department and the city.

"Collective bargaining (shores) up a contract between us and the city and gives more job assurances," said Lawrence.

In January, Lawrence and Owen were at odds over negotiations, which got heated between the two of them. Lawerence said Laytham got caught in the middle of the negotiations.

"They did make the chief and the two assistant chiefs start working weekends," Lawrence said. "We felt like that was retaliation towards us and the collective bargaining agreement."

WDRB posed the question to the mayor: Did not renewing his contract have anything to do with the collective bargaining agreement? Owen said, "Absolutely not. No."

Laytham was fired in Mt. Washington on the same day Louisville ousted its police chief.

Also on the same day, a Louisville Metro Police detective, Timothy Davis, was arrested for crashing his unmarked police car in Mt. Washington. The crash happened on May 18. Video showed Davis plowed into two trailers reportedly going more than 50 miles per hour.

David is charged with reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash and tampering with evidence, among other crimes. But those charges came a month after the crash.

WDRB pressed Owen on whether the handling of the wreck is related to Laytham’s termination. "I don't want to comment on that," he said.

The mayor said the investigation into the March incident should be wrapped up by Mt. Washington Police in two to four weeks — then, he said, he can release more information.

Laytham was appointed as chief in Mt. Washington in early 2023. He previously worked at the Louisville Metro Police Department and the Bullitt County Sheriff's Office.

For now, Lt. Colonel Dan Kelty has been appointed the temporary Chief of Police.

Laytham said he's not talking more about his termination until after the first of next month.

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