SCHERERVILLE | The Town Council has removed David Dowling from his position as police chief.

Read Schererville Town Council President Hal Slager's statement.

The vote, made at the end of Wednesday's Town Council meeting, came as a shock to department leaders, including Dowling, who was visibly angry.

After reading a two-page statement, Town Council President Hal Slager requested Dowling be removed as chief. Fellow Republican Councilman Perry Ferrini made the motion, and Republican Councilman Jerry Tippy seconded the motion.

Tom Schmitt, a Democrat, voted against Dowling's removal. Democratic Councilman Rob Guetzloff was on vacation and didn't vote, but in a phone call Wednesday night, Guetzloff said he opposed Dowling's removal.

Dowling has served as chairman of the St. John/St. John Township Democratic Precinct Organization the last four or five years. His post with the organization caused controversy between party lines. When talk of his removal first surfaced, the Democratic councilmen argued that it was because of his party affiliation.

The ouster came less than two months after reports that Slager had approached Dowling and asked for his resignation.

In his statement Wednesday, Slager said Dowling approached him in November -- when voters elected a Republican majority -- and agreed to resign if he was given a "soft landing."

"That was the genesis of it," Slager said.

Dowling denied that.

"What Mr. Slager said in his presentation was extremely inaccurate," he said.

Dowling, who was appointed chief at the end of 2004, will remain employed with the Schererville Police Department. Dowling said he'll do the best he can wherever he is placed with the department. His last achieved rank was lieutenant.

Lt. Dan Smith, who has served as police chief in the past, will act as interim chief. The Police Commission has been directed to select a new permanent chief.

Ferrini and Tippy said they support Slager's statement, but Schmitt and Guetzloff said they do not.

"Shame on (Slager) for what he has done," Guetzloff said. "We had a good, qualified leader in this position."