An angry district attorney, a wrench-wielding mother, an outraged council member, and more than 100 police officers made for a contentious Coatesville council meeting last night that revolved around juvenile violence, the suspension of a popular police officer, and the failure of the city administration's to replace departing police officers.

Police officers from across the county crowded into council chambers to show their support for Lt. Matt Gordon who has been demoted to sergeant and placed on administrative leave and to express concern about police safety brought about by a 25-percent exodus of police officers.

Sheryl Curry galvanized the crowd when she pounded the podium with a heavy wrench three times, shouting out: "This is what they did to my daughter three times." She said daughter was attacked by a group of girls and is now too frightened too go to school. She said she has met with Police Chief William Matthews and Lt. Julius Canale. "Nothing is happening," she said.

The Coatesville police union has voted a lack of confidence in Matthews who lacks state certification as a police officer and is prohibited by law from making arrests.

But Council Member Kurt Schenk defended Matthews, saying the city hired him to administrate the police department not go out on the streets and make arrests.

"Five months ago the police department was a mess," said Schenk. Matthews was hired in April. Schenk said many of the police officers who departed didn't want to work for a black chief. "If that's the reason they left, they need to be gone," he said. Statements that angered District Attorney Joe Carroll.

"The department was not a mess before Chief Matthews came here," shouted Carroll, pointing his finger at Schenk. "And to say these officers left because of racism is outrageous." Schenk later retracted his statement regarding officers not wanting to work for a black chief, saying it was based on rumor.

Carroll, who spoke at the end of the meeting, also pointed out Matthews' contract with the city calls for him to be get Act 120 certification within five months of his hiring. "It's in the contract," said Carroll. "It does matter."

Carroll also said the suspension of Gordon calls into question how the police department is being managed. "I need Matt Gordon back," he said. Following the meeting, Carroll explained Gordon was the liaison between his office and several ongoing investigations in the city.

Kevin Moore, past president of FOP Lodge 11 and a West Brandywine township resident, said Matthews should be certified. "If you want to act like a cop, if you want to carry a gun like a cop, if you want respect like a cop, you have to be a cop," he said.

Moore said a short-handed city police department will likely cause a strain on neighboring police departments whose officers will more frequently be called into Coatesville to assist because of mutual cooperation agreements the city has with neighboring departments.

According to Matthews, eight police officers have left the department. Many of those officers have expressed concerns about the future of the police department. Carroll pointed out that he was against police layoffs when they were being considered as a way to make up for a budget shortfall. He said the number then being talked about was six. "Now more officers than that have left," he said.

Matthews said those eight officers would be replaced, but later said there were concerns about the civil service list which in the past the city has always drawn its police candidates from. "It's being looked at from a legal viewpoint," said Matthews.

"This is ridiculous," said Council Member Ed Simpson. "People are getting beaten in this city and it's because we don't have enough police officers. It has stop."

Simpson said for years the city hired police officers from the civil service list.