A group of Medina citizens is circulating a petition around town to sway the City Council to have recently fired Police Chief Jeffrey Chen reinstated and City Manager Donna Hanson fired.

The petition has been out for a few days, and has more than 100 signatures already, and organizers have created an online version as well.

“The residents are saying the City Manager is the problem, the council knows that,” said Marianne Jones, an attorney who is representing Chen in the matter.

Jones said Chen could pursue legal action if he is not reinstated. Jones said he would seek damages, and possibly reinstatement to his old position were he to sue the city. In addition, the way in which the city handled his investigation, stunted the long-time officer’s ability to find employment elsewhere, when the result became clear.

“He’s been damaged, and he needs to recover,” she said.

Medina investigated Chen for misuse of a company email system, destroying public records and improper use of city resources. He was accused of not cooperating with the city’s investigation, as well.

Several of Chen’s supporters turned up at Medina’s monthly council meeting Monday night to reiterate their frustration with the city’s review of Chen’s situation. He was fired by Hanson last month after several months of investigation.

“On Wednesday, April 27, the City of Medina terminated the employment of Police Chief Jeff Chen, effective immediately,” she wrote in a statement last month. “The termination came after an extensive outside investigation and review. Chief Chen had been placed on administrative leave pending results of the investigation.

“The position of Police Chief is vital to the Medina and Hunts Points communities. It was determined that Chief Chen’s departure, while extremely difficult, is ultimately in the best interests of the City, its residents, and the Medina Police Department.”

The council has the authority under state law to terminate Hanson, but it cannot hire and fire other department heads. That is under the legal authority of the city manager.

Chen has been under investigation since late December when he resigned from his position, an action he says he took because Hanson leaned on him to do so. One week later he took back the resignation and was placed on paid leave. The issue immediately turned contentious during a December council meeting when a failed motion was made to fire Hanson.

Throughout the process, Chen has maintained his innocence.

“I have had the privilege and the honor of protecting you and your community for the last 10 years,” he wrote in a statement following his termination. “Unfortunately today I was terminated by the city of Medina from that position. The city manager has decided to terminate me based upon conclusions in an investigation report which I wholeheartedly refute.”