Alexandria Mayor Jeff Hall has named an acting police chief as opposition to his administration placing Jerrod King on leave got louder with his supporters calling for citizens to push back.

Hall, in a release sent out Sunday, named Alexandria Police Department Assistant Chief Farrell Gaspard as the acting chief.

A message on an electronic billboard near the Jackson Street and Versailles Boulevard intersection shows support for Chief Jerrod King, who was placed on leave Friday.(Photo: Melissa Gregory/The Town Talk)

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Hall stated he thought Gaspard, a 32-year veteran with the department and Mansura native, would ""do an outstanding job in this role.

King, named chief in May 2018 by former Mayor Jacques Roy, was placed on administrative leave on Friday. No reason was given, and a city spokesman said itcouldn't be discussed since it was a personnel matter.

Acting Alexandria Police Chief Farrell Gaspard(Photo: Courtesy/city of Alexandria)

Just days before, on New Year's Eve, had King posted a message on his personal Facebook page to the department's officers. He wrote that the past year had been exciting and challenging.

"Together, we have faced critical issues ranging from manpower concerns, budgetary constraints, and concerns of financial compensation for you, to what sometimes seems to be a continual display of the worst in human behavior," he wrote. "Despite all of the obstacles and issues that have arisen along with facing the evil that all of you confront on a daily basis you have remained true to our departmental values of Service to Others, Honor, Integrity, Excellence, Loyalty, and Dedication."

The message also wished his officers and their families peace, prosperity and happiness for 2020.

"It has been my distinct honor and absolute privilege to serve as your Chief this past year. None of us know what tomorrow may hold but I want to assure you that I am and will always be extremely grateful to each of you, the men and women of this department, and to your families for allowing me to serve as your Chief."

King's supporters on Saturday unveiled a Facebook page, AEX4King, asking residents to show their support. They called upon residents to attend Tuesday's Alexandria City Council meeting to support King.

The page has garnered more than 1,200 likes since its debut on Saturday.

Supporters also paid to post a message of support on at least one electronic billboard on Jackson Street.

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