The Quincy City Council heard a second reading of an ordinance that would allow the mayor to appoint and remove police and fire chiefs with council approval at Monday night's meeting.

The new ordinance would not change the requirements to become police or fire chief.

Opponents turned out to express concerns at Monday's council meeting.

Many of those concerns come from current and former police and firefighters along with former Quincy Mayor John Spring.

Proponents say the ordinance would allow more accountability.

"It gives the elected office holders that have been elected by the residents, voters here in Quincy, to make those choices, similarly to how we can pick any other department head," Quincy Mayor Mike Troup said. "So we aren't treating the police or fire chief any different than any other department head."

Opponents say the ordinance would open the door to corruption, stating that the mayor already has input since they appoint board commissioners.

"The police and fire commission is kind of insulated from the outside pressure so to speak, and I truly believe that group is trying to look at the needs of the department, the leadership capabilities of the people that are under consideration to provide the best person to lead the department," former Quincy Fire Chief Joe Henning said. "At the end of the day, your police and fire chief need to be able to speak freely and frankly without any kind of repercussion."

The Quincy City Council is expected to vote on the ordinance next week after the final reading.