Forces Clash in Cave City

By Allyson Dix, Managing Editor/Barren County Progress

In an unexpected move, Cave City Police Chief Paul Reynolds launched a series of complaints against Councilwoman Leticia Cline during Monday evening’s council meeting, prompting Mayor Dwayne Hatcher to abruptly adjourn the session after attempting to unsuccessfully intercede an escalating discussion.

While not listed on the agenda, it was expected that the council would address the formation of a new policy for police body cams; however, during the chief’s report, he alleged Cline’s recent public comments and conduct undermine public safety, trust, and officer morale within the department.

Recent online discussions on Facebook involving over 150 comments, which has since been deleted, surfaced from Roxglass’ owner Matt Stasel, who was seeking public input on potential issues with the Cave City Police Department, Cline would later clarify in the meeting.

“I feel compelled to address a series of claims against Leticia Cline,” Reynolds said, arguing her online statements had misrepresented departmental operations and jeopardized officer safety.

The chief claimed Cline had posted sensitive information about officers on social media, including names, salaries, and retirement details.

He also said one undercover narcotics detective was exposed during the exchange, endangering both the officer and ongoing investigations.

“This is a serious breach of safety and professionalism,” Reynolds said.

He further alleged that Cline had publicly criticized “legitimate safety stops,” noting one instance two years ago when officers seized three pounds of methamphetamine after a traffic stop for illegal window tint and expired tags.

Officer Billy Courtway provided from evidence a large bag of presumed to be methamphetamine confiscated during this traffic stop.

Reynolds also referenced Cline’s apparent claim that her personal business revenue was down 40% because of the police department patrolling outside her business, which both Cline and Stasel, though separately, serve alcohol. He requested evidence to support the statement, noting instead that four new alcohol-serving businesses had opened in town, alluding to the potential cause of a declining revenue.

“Cline stated she was elected by the public—this is inaccurate,” Reynolds added. “She was appointed after there was an election.”

The chief said Cline’s repeated “attacks” have demoralized officers and their families, with some considering resignation due to feeling the strain of public accusations.

He encouraged citizens who feel they’ve been treated unlawfully or inappropriately by the department to come forward.

“Every complaint will be investigated thoroughly, and actions will be taken if warranted,” he said, adding that officers will not stop enforcing the law simply because “some” disagree. He noted that changes to traffic laws must come from legislators, not police.

Cline Responds

“I’m not the only person that spoke out, but I did respond when Kersey said that if it meant closing down nightlife then he was fine with that,” Cline said about Stasel’s post. “To me, that seems like a personal agenda instead of stating facts.”

Cline emphasized that Cave City has 22 licensed alcohol-serving businesses that pay a 5% tax, which supports both the city and the police department.

“I’m not against pulling people over who are intoxicated,” she said, adding she felt people tended to focus on her owning a bar in the city over being a citizen in Cave City.

Cline also disputed Reynolds’ earlier criticism of her budget remarks, presumably in the original post, insisting she had correctly pointed out that the department faced a $173,000 deficit in the approved budget because she voted to approve said budget.

Reynolds countered that her framing on the matter, especially in the public eye, suggested mismanagement, which he denied. Both discussed financial aspects of the department, including the cost of its four trained K-9s.

Cline also expressed frustration at the lack of access to city policies and ordinances as a member of the council before pointing out a nearby bookshelf with several former city councilmembers with several being deceased or no longer serving.

“I haven’t received any policy or ordinance for this city and how it’s ran since I’ve taken office,” she said. “I don’t have access to policies or ordinances so when people ask me, like today, about parking or a fire pit, I have no idea what to reference.”

She also argued the city should enforce consistent standards regarding public comments by officials, recalling that former Councilman Brandon Wright was nearly removed at the mayor’s request for remarks he made against a local business.

“We should never, no matter our personal beliefs, be fine with businesses closing or make public statements encouraging that,” Cline said.

Cline said she had been informed by the mayor that he believed there was a policy in place for public comments on social media after she contacted him in real time during the Facebook fiasco.

Reynolds said officers are still permitted first amendment rights and “We’ve got just as much of a voice as what you got.”

As of press time, the Barren County Progress was unable to obtain any policies from the City regarding social media use for city employees and/or councilmembers.

At one point, Cline asked Reynolds directly: “What was the point of this? Are you asking the council to ask me to resign, or are you asking the council to take me off the council?” Reynolds said his purpose was to make the situation known.

Cline responded that she would be filing a formal ethics complaint against the police department, to which the chief responded, “And they will receive a copy of our formal ethics complaint against you.”

Councilwoman Beverly Ford suggested the contentious discussion should not have been held publicly.

“I don’t think this should be open like it is,” Ford said. “I think it should have been discussed in closed session.”

Officer Adam Maulden also spoke, saying, “When you put my name out there, that offends me and my family,” adding that he had no role in the online dispute.

“This discussion is over. Now.” Mayor Hatcher interjected as back-and-forth banter continued.

Maulden still continued, “I’m here because I want to help people. I don’t think anyone can say I’ve done anything wrong, but when you start putting my safety at risk–I don’t have to have this job. I’m here to help however I can, good or bad.”

When Cline tried to respond, the mayor intervened again, “This discussion is over,” he repeated, banging his gavel before forcing adjournment.

“This meeting is adjourned,” Hatcher concluded.

Cline asked for a special-called meeting to address the anticipated discussion for body cam policies for the police department. On Tuesday morning, an e-mail was sent to Mayor Hatcher with the majority of councilmembers calling for a September 15 special-called meeting at 5 p.m. Reynolds had said on Monday all officers will be equipped with body and dash cams as of September 12.

“The people of Cave City deserve competent leadership, lawful process, and transparency. What they witnessed last night was the opposite,” Cline told the Barren County Progress on Tuesday morning.

“Last night’s meeting was an embarrassing and improper display of power, allowed by the mayor and carried out by the police department,” Cline further said. “Particularly concerning was the introduction and misuse of a seized bag of methamphetamine evidence bag–such material belongs in a courtroom under judicial authority, not in a public meeting staged for effect.”

Other business:

Councilmembers approved in majority votes the second readings of the following ordinances: setting the tax rate as 13.4-cents (real property); 13.4-cents (tangible personal property); 17.87-cents (motor vehicles and boats);  2.9% cost of living adjustment to the mayor and councilmembers at 2.9%; and increased salaries to begin on Jan. 1, 2027, $40,000 for the mayor and $150 per meeting for councilmembers (an increase from $20,000 and $50 per meeting, respectively.)

Michelle Holt with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) also shared a presentation on alcohol-related statistics and BRADD’s Matt Pedigo invited the council to an upcoming meeting.

Before leaving and despite a forced adjournment, Councilman Denny Doyle briefly interjected. “Wait a minute,” he said, before providing an update that he had repaired the city’s backup generator for under $500.

 

This article has been updated to reflect two years (previously written three) in reference to the traffic stop that led to the seizure of methamphetamine.