MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) Prichard Police Chief Appointee Bernard Parrish has not received a pay check. The mayor's office confirmed to Local 15 News that Parrish has worked as acting chief and has not been paid for his work.

The Mayor's Office stated it cannot pay Parrish because City Council has not passed a budget and City Council has not approved the Mayor Troy Ephriam's pick.

City Council members maintain Parrish's pay has nothing to do with the budget. Members told Local 15 News it is illegal for them to pay Parrish as an interim police chief.

Mayor Ephriam appointed Parrish in November and he has been working as interim chief ever since.

"This appointment the mayor made did not come within. It came out of the merit system. So therefore he needs four City Council members to approve of his appointee," said Councilwoman Severia Campbell. "That's why the person is not getting paid."

Campbell acknowledges the previous interim Police Chief Michael Rowland was paid for his work. He later resigned and left his post as Public Safety Director because he too was not paid.

"Mike Rowland was not an interim police chief," said Campbell. "He was an appointee, and he should not have been paid."

Councilman Lorenzo Martin said Parrish's work was simply volunteer work because the city cannot legally pay him as interim chief because he was not previously working for the police department.

"Legally from our recommendation from attorneys, you can't be paid municipal dollars unless you're confirmed by the council," said Councilman Lorenzo A. Martin.

If City Council does approve the mayor's choice for chief, Martin said Parrish still would not be paid for the last two weeks, only for his work after the contract is approved.

There will be a Public Safety Committee meeting Wednesday afternoon to discuss the police chief position. City Council members said once they receive the committee's recommendation, they will eventually make a decision. No word if city council will vote at this Thursday's meeting.

Local 15 News reached out to Bernard Parrish and the mayor's office for an on camera comment and both declined.

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