After almost five years on the job as Smithville Police Chief, Randy Caplinger has been asked to step down. Caplinger, a retired Lieutenant Colonel/Major of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, was named police chief in May 2010.

"I think the department needs to go in a new direction," Smithville Mayor Jimmy Poss told the Review. "I just think some changes need to be made." Poss placed Caplinger on suspension pending termination at a Friday morning meeting at city hall at city hall attended by Poss, Caplinger, Police Commissioner Jason Murphy, and City Attorney Vester Parsley.

The mayor said Caplinger has been asked to resign or retire from the department. The board of aldermen were called to meet Tuesday at 5 p.m. to discuss whether to offer him a severance package if he resigns voluntarily. The outcome of that meeting was not known at press time.

Caplinger has seven business days to request a hearing before the entire board, who could vote to sustain or overturn the mayor’s action. The city's policies and procedures require that the request be made to the mayor, who has five business days to respond. Poss said that if that happens the reqest would be granted.

Captain Steven Leffew has been named Officer in Charge of the police department in the interim.