Sounding more like a Baptist preacher or politician than police officer, embattled Mobile police chief Paul Prine spoke to a crowd of enthusiastic supporters at Municipal Park Saturday — four days after he was placed on administrative leave.

Prine quoted scripture, asked those in attendance to pray for their leaders and accused the city administration of conducting a “smear” campaign against him and his family.

“The same people who said I was the man for the job are the same people who have went on a smear campaign for lack of not going along with unethical issues that I perceived,” Prine said.

“The only thing I regret — and maybe I shouldn’t — is that I thought those in leadership wanted me (as chief) because they wanted the job to get done,” he said. “But apparently it isn’t really about one Mobile or getting the job done, it’s about these other things.

“The lust for power, the lust of the flesh, the private life,” Prine continued, without elaborating, calling the situation “a spiritual battle more than it is anything.”

Mayor Sandy Stimpson released a statement Wednesday, saying preliminary findings of former U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown’s review of the Mobile Police Department uncovered disturbing instances of Prine’s authoritarian style, irreconcilable differences between Prine and other public safety officials, and a series of “frivolous” complaints, which Stimpson said were “demonstrably false.”

“I was shocked and disappointed to hear that at one open roll call in the first precinct, several officers who were present at the time confirmed that Prine said something to the effect of ‘Don’t pay attention to what I say in the media, f— the public,’” Stimpson said in his statement.

Prine has denied the mayor’s contentions in multiple interviews over the past few days. Saturday, he spent more time professing his faith in God.

“So before I can point my finger at anybody I have to examine myself and make sure what I’m doing is right, not for propping myself up or making me to be some moral righteous guy, but to do right first and foremost by God,” he said. “That’s who I report to.

“Thank you for this (support), but I can assure you I don’t want to be a part of a cause. The only cause I have is the cause of Christ.”

Prine, a 27-year veteran of the Mobile Police Department, said he would never have advanced to the position of chief were it not for God.

“I think what the administration failed to understand is what they thought they were getting is not what they got,” he said. “I often wondered why I got that job. When I say I don’t go along to get along — I’ll go along to get along with anybody so long as it’s not unethical and it’s not criminal.”

Prine also said a prayer group “prophesied” his dismissal as chief last year.

“But as part of that promise of God, my name would be vindicated in the end,” he said.

While Prine spent much of his 21-minute speech talking of his faith and God’s role in his life, he nevertheless continued his accusations towards Mobile’s administration. He said last year the administration asked to “be a part of something unethical, possibly criminal,” and then contacted his family.

“I draw the line there,” Prine said. “There’s two things I don’t play around with. I don’t play around with the Lord and I don’t play around with my family.”

Prine also reiterated his contention that the Brown report is intended simply as a way to paint him in a bad light and force him out.

“This will be over shortly,” Prine said. “I have no choice but to retire. Even if the city council doesn’t vote me out, there’s no way to reconcile, because I work for the administration, not the council.”

Prine said he had told his wife he was done with police work and wanted to “sell hammers at Lowe’s.”

“You have the power. You have the vote. You have the influence,” Prine told those in attendance, with a few calling for him to run for mayor. “I’m not calling for anybody to be voted out.”

He also asked for prayers for the new police chief, once one is appointed.

“Pray for your leaders. Pray for their wisdom. Pray for salvation for those in charge,” Prine said. “In the end, God is in charge, God will expose, and God bless each and every one of you.”