The Mount Vernon Town Council on Thursday voted to fire the town’s police chief more than two weeks after he was arrested on a domestic violence charge.

Duncan Herrington was fired and given two months’ severance pay by the council, WKRG reported.

The council’s decision came after Herrington pleaded his case with the body during an executive session.

Herrington, whose contract was set to expire in November, was arrested Dec. 15 on 1st Avenue in Saraland, where he resides.

Mount Vernon police said Herrington was the aggressor in an incident involving himself and a family member.

Herrington was held for 24 hours in the Saraland jail before being released, as required under state law. Herrington posted bond, believed to have been $1,000, and was released Dec. 16

Third-degree domestic violence is a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama, punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $6,000.