A Brookhaven alderman and the chief of police got face-to-face in a heated argument during the board’s regular meeting.

Alderman-at-Large Don Underwood had just presented a motion to make the city’s top officer job an appointed rather than elected position.

With a second from Ward 6 Alderman Andre Spiller, and a third supporting vote from Ward 4 Alderman Jeff Henning, the motion passed.

Ward 5 Alderman Fletcher Grice voted no.

The remaining board members abstained from the vote — James Magee Jr., Ward 1; Shannon Moore, Ward 2; and Charles Caston, Ward 3.

Following the vote, Chief Collins made comments from the gallery that Underwood’s “little group ain’t gonna run this town,” the Alderman-at-Large and chief began to speak in loud voices, standing face-to-face near the podium.

Magee, Spiller and a man in the gallery stepped in to separate the men as Mayor Joe Cox banged the gavel and called for order.

Cox and attorney Bobby Moak cleared all but board members and clerks from the room and talked behind closed doors for approximately one minute before opening the meeting again and inviting all to return to the room.

This story will be updated.