Unless I am missing something, I don't see how this is any different than not getting a LTC from your local PD based on the Chief's whim. Or the Chief could just say no when renewal comes up.
The crossing guard implicitly criticized the town police chief
when he whinged in public about the school resource officer's coffee runs.
Either he didn't get along well with the current chief in the first place,
or the chief took one look at him and decided,
"LTC? How about 'no'? 'No' works for me".
Running his mouth in the diner
(and if he's the slightest bit deaf from his military service,
it was probably audible in the parking lot)
also means that even if the chief was sympathetic
because of his 60(!) years in the department,
he couldn't even return all his stuff on the Q.T.
as soon as the moonbat press's back is turned -
because the old timer couldn't be trusted not to brag about it.
The most he can hope for is that if he lawyers up
and the chief is sympathetic (what are the odds?),
that the chief will fold like a cardboard suitcase
and claim his hands are tied.
Sigh.