Come Feb. 23, the Selma Police Department may not have a assistant police chief.

Assistant Chief Robert Jacobs said on Friday his retirement is still in effect &uot;unless I send another letter to the council.&uot;

Jacobs said he has not yet made a decision as to whether he would rescind the notice of retirement sent to City Council President George Evans on Jan. 20.

Jacobs was supposed to retire from the police force on Feb. 9, but Mayor James Perkins, Jr. extended the date to Feb. 23.

Jacobs wrote in his retirment letter the reason for his retirement stems in part from rumors that some members of the City Council were going to vote him out of his position.

In his retirement letter to Evans, Jacobs wrote, &uot;I have served in this city as public servant for far too long to be subjected to politics, whims and motives. All I have ever wished for is to ensure proper law enforcement. This being the year of politics has placed me in an unwanted position and therefore cost me my awarded position.&uot;

However, it seems not all members of the City Council, nor the mayor, want to see Jacobs go.

Perkins has repeatedly said he would like to see Jacobs and Police Chief Robert Green set aside their differences and work on a plan to fight violent crime.

Council member Bennie Ruth Crenshaw said Jacobs has been actively involved in the city’s police force for several years and his expertise is needed.

Crenshaw said she was disappointed in the persistence of council members to ensure Jacobs leaves the force.

Council member Rita Sims-Franklin said there was no personal attack against Jacobs, the council is just planning to act on the assistant chief’s retirement letter.

Franklin said if the council eliminated the assistant chief position all together, the city could save between $36,000 to $40,000.

The City Council will likely vote on Jacobs’ retirement letter at the next council meeting.