PROVINCETOWN, Mass. (AP) — Provincetown's police chief has been fired after allegedly urging members of the department to support a particular candidate for the select board and for taking down the names of customers at a bar after a song with anti-police lyrics was played.

Jeff Jaran was fired Wednesday night following a closed-door meeting with selectmen that lasted more than three hours. He has been chief since 2008.

Jaran's attorney tells the Cape Cod Times his client will dispute the termination at an arbitration hearing where he expects "full vindication."

An independent investigator determined that Jaran violated local and state laws when he held staff meetings at which he discussed the need to support a particular political candidate.

The investigator also found that it was "unnecessary" to collect names at the bar.

Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox