FULTON, KY. — Police Chief Allen Poole announced his immediate retirement from the Fulton, Kentucky police force in an email sent to WPSD Local 6. His announcement followed a city-issued notice of suspension without pay on May 21 and an inconclusive meeting by the Fulton City Commission regarding his potential dismissal.

The city’s suspension notice alleged that Poole used his city-issued police cruiser to travel to Union City, Tennessee, for personal reasons and that he visited City Commissioner Jeff Vaughn’s place of business to question him about the disciplinary proceedings. According to the notice, Poole berated Vaughn and pounded his fists on a table after being asked to leave, conduct the city said would violate its Workplace Violence Policy if true.

Poole disputed the allegations in a public statement, asserting his trip to Tennessee was in his official capacity to address an interrogation and investigation request involving a public official. He cited the City of Fulton’s Personnel Policy, which he said permits both business and personal use of assigned vehicles, and noted that other department heads have routinely used city vehicles for personal errands without discipline.

He denied berating Vaughn or pounding the table, saying he tapped it three times for emphasis while responding to a question. “The conversation was firm and passionate but it was not menacing or inappropriate in any way,” Poole said. He added that no one present expressed fear for their safety and that the commissioner assured him of continued support as he departed.

Poole stated the suspension notice read as “prepared advocacy” rather than a contemporaneous account from a witness. In his retirement letter, he wrote that city leadership no longer shared his “vision and standard of excellence.” Poole stated he had served Fulton with integrity for nearly 25 years and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve.