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Savannah Police Chief Abruptly Retires
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The Savannah-Chatham County police chief is retiring a day after it was revealed that City Hall is investigating a sexual harassment claim against him.
Savannah City Manager Stephanie Cutter announced Friday that Police Chief Willie Lovett was to retire "effective immediately." She did not give a reason for the announcement.
Local news outlets reported Thursday that Cutter sent a memo to Savannah's mayor and City Council last week saying an outside legal firm was investigating sexual harassment allegations brought against Lovett by one of his officers.
The 63-year-old Lovett has spent four decades as a Savannah police officer and has served as chief since August 2009.
Maj. Juliette Tolbert, the department's special operations commander, has been named interim police chief until a permanent replacement is hired.
Tags: Savannah, Chatham County, sexual harassment, Chatham County police