HAMMOND - Police Chief Roddy Devall received his termination letter Monday morning, according to his attorney.

WWL-TV reported Devall received the letter from Hammond Mayor Pete Panepinto. The termination is effective immediately.

Ron Macaluso, Devall’s attorney, said the letter referenced the reasons for his firing as two civil service violations that were tied to a long-running dispute over the police department’s handling of the announcement of an officer’s arrest.

Macaluso went on to say an appeal has already been filed to the Hammond Civil Service Board.

The Hammond Mayor’s Office commented early Monday afternoon, attributing the termination to a pending disciplinary matter originated by a complaint to the Hammond Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board.
 The mayor’s office said Thomas Corkern will direct and supervise the operation of the Hammond Police Department as Assistant Chief and senior officer of the department.

The position of Hammond Chief of Police remains vacant at this time, according to the mayor's office.