Former Warrenton Police Chief Davis Bernard said today that city officials gave him no reason for asking him to resign.

“I didn’t know I was not doing a good job,” Bernard said. “My impression was that I was terminated. They gave me a choice, but it wasn’t like I had a choice.”

Bernard, 48, of Warrenton, submitted his resignation last week and was quickly replaced with his second-in-command, Lt. Greg Houdyshell.

Warrenton Mayor Greg Costello said the city’s board of alderman voted unanimously last week to give Bernard the chance to resign or face termination. Costello said Bernard was not fulfilling the board’s expectations of “professionalism” and “customer service.” He declined to elaborate.

“The decision was made to move the city in a more professional direction,” Costello said.

Bernard joined the Warrenton Police Department in 1986 after graduating from the police academy. He became acting chief in the fall of 2007 and was appointed police chief in Feburary 2008. He earned about $55,600.

Bernard was offered severance pay, but he would not disclose details of the package, which he has yet to officially accept.

Houdyshell, 46, became a lieutenant in the department last year after serving as a captain with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. Houdyshell’s salary as chief is about $58,000.

Houdyshell said he is excited to lead and improve the department.