Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major is back on the job after he was placed on administrative leave last week by Mayor Wayman Newton.

The City Council Monday night, following a contentious meeting, voted unanimously to reinstate the chief.

“We want Chief Major back to work as soon as possible,’’ said Mayor Pro Tempore Tracie Threadford.

Major, who Newton appointed in 2021 to head the city’s police, was placed on leave at the close of business last Wednesday.

Major was suspended with pay on allegations that he disobeyed an order by the mayor to release a person arrested on domestic violence without a court order.

The magistrate did not issue a bond, he said, and it’s not up to the police chief or anyone in his department to do so.

“The court determines who gets in jail and the court determines who gets out and when,’’ Major said.

Major said the discord between he and the mayor began late last year when Councilman Tommy Bryant was arrested for punching the mayor following another heated meeting.

The altercation between Bryant and Newton, who have been at odds since Wayman was elected as the city’s first Black mayor, happened in the parking lot of Tarrant City Hall.

The chief in court documents chronicled the events that led up to the altercation, which included sexually-charges statements reportedly made by the mayor to Bryant about Bryant’s wife.

“I’ll be clear. I noticed the change shortly after I arrested (Bryant) where I had to give evidence that wasn’t very flattering of the mayor,’’ Major said last week. “Since then, our relationship has been almost non-existent.”

“I think the mayor is spiraling out of control. I think the mayor is in crisis,’’ Major said. “He’s lashing out at everybody he thinks isn’t on his side.”

At Monday’s council meeting, Newton said “pretty serious circumstances” led to him placing the chief on leave and called for an outside investigation. He said it was not in the city’s best interest to reinstate the chief without doing so.

“It’s going to put the city in jeopardy,’’ Newton told the council.

There was lengthy discussion about the incident that led to the suspension.

Major said Newton told the chief to release a domestic violence suspect from the jail, but the chief would not do so until the magistrate signed the man’s bond, which the magistrate had not done at that point.

“I believe the court has to authorize the arrest, the court has to authorize the release,’’ the chief said.

The chief explained that he does have the authority to release an inmate when court is not in session but said that was not the case in this incident.

Threadford told Newton during the meeting, “You’re at this gentleman because he told the truth about what you said to Mr. Bryant. We all know that.”

Newton replied, “I could care less about that.”

“I understand you guys do not like me. I get that. I don’t like you guys. It’s mutual,’’ Newton said. “We’re put here to protect the city, to look out for the best interest of the city. There’s some serious issues that need to be addressed.

Threadford told the mayor he was paranoid.

The chief was allowed to address the council.

“The mayor does not have the authority to release someone from jail,’’ he told them. “I will not obey orders that I don’t believe are legally justifiable. I will do my best to protect this community.”

“I believe my tenure here has seen a reduction in crime – from three homicides in 2021 to zero in the last year,’’ he said. “We have reduced a number of other crimes as well.”

“It is my job as the police chief to serve you and enforce the law,’’ Major said. “I will do that without fear or favor. And I will do it every minute of the day that I serve as your police chief.”

His statement was met with applause, as was the subsequent vote to reinstate Major.

All of the city council members voted in favor bringing Major back to work. The mayor was the lone vote against Major’s reinstatement.