SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — Sanford city commissioners have voted “no confidence” in their police chief over the handling of the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a neighborhood watch captain.
The commission voted 3-2 Wednesday night against Chief Bill Lee Jr.
Commissioner Mark McCarty said Lee, who was hired in May 2011, should resign from his position. Commissioner Patty Mahany said the panel shouldn’t rush to judgment.
The commission can’t fire Lee, because the police chief reports to the city manager.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr. told commissioners he would take their vote under advisement.
Residents and civil rights activists have called for the arrest of George Zimmerman for shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman has not been charged, and has said he shot Martin in self-defense.
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