Mayor Eric Peoples Accused of Firing Black Police Chief Who Tried to Discipline Officer, Lawsuit Ends With $65,000 Settlement

MOUNT VERNON, Ala. — Former Black police chief Eric Pettway finalized a $65,000 agreement ending his legal battle against town leadership over his late 2025 termination. Litigation centered on claims that Mayor Eric Peoples dismissed the veteran after he challenged departmental misconduct and demanded fair compensation.

Pettway asserted in formal petitions, according to court documents obtained by WALA-TV, that administrative friction began when he attempted to discipline subordinates. His complaint highlights accusations that town decision-makers ignored wage laws while demanding unpaid labor.

This violent episode and the subsequent public outcry intensified after bodycam footage, reported by AL.com, showed officer Newman Brazier tasing and dragging David Holloway during a May 2025 arrest. Pettway maintained that his push for accountability regarding this incident drew immediate hostility from the mayor.

Officer Brazier eventually lost his badge that December after national exposure forced municipal action. Pettway claims he received his own walking papers shortly thereafter as retribution for internal whistleblowing.

Pettway alleged in his lawsuit that municipal authorities pressured him to maximize traffic fines against motorists based on racial profiling. He characterized these mandates as predatory revenue generation rather than legitimate civic protection.

Demands included working forty hours in patrol shifts while tacking on twenty-five additional hours of administrative night duty without overtime pay. Pettway described this grueling regimen as exploitative, alleging he received zero extra compensation for the excess time.

Holloway, the individual mistreated in the viral arrest video, pursues his own separate litigation against the predominantly Black town. Residents now monitor how these recurring payouts impact the small municipality’s constrained budget.

While the settlement resolves Pettway's federal lawsuit, questions persist regarding local oversight. Village supervisors must now address how they manage their police force and handle taxpayer funds.

Mount Vernon officials face increased scrutiny regarding hiring practices and fiscal transparency protocols as a result of recent litigation and community response. Citizens continue to observe how village governance addresses its approach to civil rights and accountability.

Transparency remains a central demand for those who spent months questioning what occurred within the local squad room. The community continues to monitor the town’s response to the allegations of departmental misconduct and the resolution of the pending litigation.

With the settlement finalized, attention now shifts to Holloway's separate legal action against the town. The municipality continues to face questions regarding the internal management of its police department and the fiscal impact of these ongoing legal challenges.