ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Just over a month after WENY News put in a Freedom of Information (FOIA) request to the City of Elmira for details on the firing of former Police Chief Anthony Alvernaz, the City has responded. According to documents provided to WENY News on Thursday, February 23rd, Alvernaz was fired on January 9th for insubordination and unprofessionalism. 

In a provided recording of the meeting between Elmira City Manager Michael Collins and Alvernaz, the former chief was given a choice between being terminated or resigning and collecting six weeks of salary in the process. Alvernaz chose the termination and was subsequently walked to his office to collect his things. 

According to a letter written by Collins, Alvernaz was fired not only for the undescribed incident, but also for his behavior the week leading up to the termination.

Alvernaz asked whether being fired would affect his retirement. Collins told him it would not. 

In documents provided to WENY News it is now known that Alvernaz's firing stemmed from an incident that occurred on December 9th, 2022 while responding to a call in the Southside of Elmira. In a letter written and signed by Collins, he said he became aware of the incident after being given a thumb drive containing Alvernaz's body cam footage from that day by an internal police employee. 

In a letter written and signed by Alvernaz he asks to be placed on administrative leave until the City's internal investigation has been completed. 

Up until this point Elmira City officials have refused all comment regarding the situation. For his part Alvernaz previously issued a statement where he said he lost his job, due to his beliefs. 

"Throughout my 27 years as an Elmira Police Officer, my oath of office was very important to me. I am unable to comment on specifics at this time, but the community should know that I was not willing to compromise my principles or ethics," Alvernaz said in a prepared statement provided to WENY News on January 11th.

Below you can find the documents released to WENY News.