Several McNeil supporters cover their faces. McNeil's backers were present outside the Meigs Community Center to express their support, but did not want to speak to the Times-Enterprise on record.

MEIGS — Meigs City Council members met behind closed doors Wednesday evening to interview two candidates to be their next police chief, including one officer who serves in the city’s police department, though no action was ultimately taken.

A group of around a dozen backers of Capt. Donald McNeil stood outside the Meigs Community Center to voice their support for his potential promotion, though none were willing to speak to the Times-Enterprise on record.

“Mr. McNeil is the best thing that ever happened to us here in Meigs,” said one individual who did not wish to be identified.

The captain’s supporters argue that as a resident of Meigs he is able to respond to their needs more quickly than an officer who lives outside of town.

“He protects us,” the unnamed McNeil supporter said. “He gets up out of his bed and protects us. He’ll be here at 3 o’clock in the morning to protect us. What else can we say?”

No binding votes were taken during Wednesday night’s session.

Also present outside the community center was Albany attorney Je’Nita Lane and her client Ronny Baity, who said they were not in favor of McNeil’s potential elevation.

“He is a crooked cop,” Baity said.

Baity claims he was involved in a February altercation with one of McNeil’s cousins, which resulted in a broken jaw that cost him thousands in medical fees.

According to Baity, McNeil’s cousin then called the off-duty officer on his personal cellphone.

McNeil then arrested Baity and, according to Lane, failed to provide medical attention.

Lane said she planned to serve the city with an ante litem notice before the end of the week.

Meigs has lacked a permanent police chief since February when the city council terminated Darrell Laster.

Interim police chief Antonio Mango urged the council to find a permanent replacement soon and withdrew his name from consideration for the position earlier this month.

The council is authorized to pay a salary of up to $40,000 to whomever is eventually appointed to the full-time position.