NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) — The New Bedford City Council has filed a lawsuit asking a judge to decide whether the mayor's appointment of the city’s new police chief requires council approval.

The action in Superior Court comes nearly three months after Mayor Jon Mitchell announced his choice of Jason Thody, the former police chief for Hartford, Connecticut, to lead New Bedford's department.

While Mitchell is arguing that he has sole authority to appoint the chief under city code, some council members insist a confirmation vote must take place first.

Despite raising that concern publicly, the council has reportedly not scheduled or taken a vote since first being notified of Thody’s nomination in June.

“When they should be more concerned about the police department’s public safety priori

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