SHEFFIELD — Mayor Ian Sanford confirmed that Sheffield Police Chief Greg Ray was terminated this morning after being given the option of resigning.

“I have listened to concerns of the council members concerning the chief for some time,” Sanford said. “Last year, we talked with him about certain things and issues that weren’t being done and things that we would like to see done. They were not done.”

Sanford said it was his decision to ask for Ray’s resignation.

“As chief executive officer of the city, it was something I felt I had to do,” Sanford said.

Sheffield Fire Chief Dewey King has been appointed as temporary police chief.

“He runs his department well. He has 46 years with the city and knows about public safety,” Sanford said about King.

Sanford said Ray can appeal his termination to the city’s Civil Service Board within five days. Ray will be on paid administrative leave during the appeals process.

Ray has been with the department since 1992 and served as chief since the retirement of Doug Aycock in 2007.