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Oakley-Brady Police Chief Larry Briggs was arraigned Wednesday morning in Shiawassee District Court on a misdemeanor stalking charge. His arrest comes on the heels of a public dispute with Brady Township Supervisor Ronald Gasper over charges that Gasper illegally burned a building on his property.

Owosso Public Safety Director Mike Compeau did not return calls made by the Tri-County Citizen but another publication reported that Briggs was charged after he allegedly made unwanted phone calls to a 19 year-old Owosso woman.

On Friday, Briggs said his attorney had advised him not to speak publicly about the matter.

Briggs has served as the rural township's part-time police chief for two years. He is also the Perry Police Chief, although city leaders have placed him on administrative leave.

On Thursday, Oakley-Brady Police Department Committee member Greg Wirostek said the committee was not planning to take immediate action on the issue. Later that day, Gasper called an emergency meeting of the board as a whole for Friday evening with the purpose of discussing the police issue.

Wirostek said the majority of the committee has been pleased with Briggs' job performance and would not rush to judgment.

Gasper also sits on the committee, along with Art Early and Francis "Fuzz" Koski, who represent the Village of Oakley's interests in the department.

"As far as I am concerned, a man is innocent until proven guilty," he said. "He has done a good job for us and has exercised excellent judgment, as far as I know. I'm afraid that no matter what the outcome, this is going to be a black mark on his career and a black mark against our police department. It's unfortunate."

Wirostek said while the township board can make decisions about the township's involvement in the joint police department, it cannot terminate employees or make policy for the department.

Briggs turned himself in on Wednesday and was released on a $200 bond after being arraigned in front of Judge Terrance Dignan. He will undergo a pre-trial exam on Monday morning.

The Owosso Police Department is handling the investigation.

In recent years, Brady Township has seen the recall of former township supervisor John Schoch, turmoil-filled monthly meetings and threatened recall efforts against current board members. Former clerk Melissa Alcorn resigned last year, after ongoing conflict with Schoch and controversy surrounding a firearms raid by federal agents at her home.

Earlier this year, Gasper accused Briggs of publicizing allegations that the supervisor illegally burned a building on his property. The case was sent to the state attorney general's office for further investigation.