Some Charleston City Council members are still divided over the results of the investigation into former Police Chief Tyke Hunt

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Some members of the Charleston City Council are still divided over how the city handled the investigation into former police chief Tyke Hunt.

Hunt returned to paid sick leave Monday after serving a 20-day suspension for violating police policy. During his tenure as police chief, Hunt was accused of inappropriate behavior by two women. An internal investigation resulted in a 10-day suspension without pay for each sexual misconduct complaint made against Hunt.

That same day, the City Council met at City Hall, where Shannon Snodgrass, who has repeatedly been a critic of the city’s handling of Hunt in the investigation, raised the issue again at the end of the meeting. She said the city failed to protect the two women who filed the complaints, Chelsea McCoy and Jenny Harless.

“Unfortunately, this board, this administration and this mayor have failed these two women,” Snodgrass said.

Snodgrass brought up the recent action by the mayor of Dunbar in Kanawha County, who suspended a police officer accused of sexual misconduct. Information about the case was handed over to the prosecutor’s office and included an external investigation. The mayor’s actions came within days of the allegations being raised. She said that’s what Charleston city officials should have done.

“This is what transparency looks like,” Snodgrass said, referring to the city of Dunbar.

“This administration has not done that,” said Snodgrass, referring to the city of Charleston.

Hunt resigned as police chief in August 2023. When he first went on leave for health reasons, he was also demoted from lieutenant to sergeant.

Council member Shannon Snodgrass called on Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin to send all files related to the Tyke Hunt investigation to the county prosecutor’s office.

“The DA’s office currently has a file on the Harless case, but not on the McCoy case,” Snodgrass said.

Chelsea McCoy is a former public servant who is suing the city of Charleston. She alleged that during her interview process for the department, Hunt tampered with her lie detector results in exchange for sex in the lie detector exam room. McCoy also claimed to have had sex with Hunt in the boss’s office.

Jenny Harless’ complaint alleges that Hunt made sexual advances toward her in his office in 2022.

The Gazette-Mail initially reported that the Charleston Police Department’s Professional Services Division had not found that Hunt violated the department’s policies on violence, harassment and discrimination in the workplace. They said Hunt was disciplined twice for disorderly conduct and also violated the law enforcement code of ethics and standards of conduct.

Snodgrass said the city is playing a “cat and mouse game” with the situation.

“Send all files to the public prosecutor’s office for a complete review. “Why not?” asked Snodgrass.

Councilmember Beth Kerns echoed Snodgrass’ comments. She said the standard has been lowered for other police officers since the allegations came to light last summer.

“This sends the wrong message to other women in our city and to those who legally and responsibly serve our city,” Kerns said.

Meanwhile, Councilwoman Jeanine Faegre said the issue was like “beating a dead horse.”

“I think we should all sit idle for a while instead of worrying about who and what and why Tyke Hunt is doing what he did or is alleged to have done,” replied Faegre.

Faegre also claimed that Councilwoman Shannon Snodgrass ran a smear campaign against “the mayor.”

“I find it insulting that this is all you (Snodgrass) have to preach about,” Faegre said. “To be completely honest, I would like to know what you do for your ward.”

In an appearance on “580 Live” with Dave Allen Monday morning, Goodwin supported current Police Chief Scott Dempsey’s decision in the internal investigation into Hunt. She also previously said it was the right decision for Hunt to step down as chief last August.

“I trust our police chief and stand with him,” Goodwin said. “Our head and heart are always in the right place and my moral compass is never wrong and that’s what I have to do.”

The mayor did not comment on comments made by the three council members who spoke at the end of the meeting.

During its meeting Monday night, the City Council also passed a municipal code amendment bill that would update requirements and penalties for cyclists and motorized vehicles. The change is in preparation for the USA Cycling Pro Road Championships, which will be held in the city May 14-19.

The city also agreed to purchase $81,321 worth of body armor from Atlantic Diving Supply for the Charleston Fire Department. The deal will help replace expired equipment and add additional equipment to the CFD.

It was also agreed to purchase 13 replacement sets of personal protective equipment from Turnout for the fire department. The contract is with Witmer Public Safety for $62,000 to replace damaged equipment and purchase personal protective equipment for new employees.