FRANKLIN—Former Franklin Police Sgt. Ronnie McClenny is suing Franklin Police Chief Phil Hardison for the $600 value of his service weapon and $5,000 in punitive damages.

McClenny filed his suit in Franklin General District Court because he wants to know why his service weapon was kept from him after he retired in 2009 after more than 25 years in the department.

“I’ve never been given a reason why,” McClenny said. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Retired police officers with at least 20 years of service can purchase their service weapon for $1. A judge in November 2010 ruled that the city wasn’t legally required to give McClenny the .45-caliber Glock.

Records subpoenaed by McClenny and given to him by the judge in that case showed that Hardison bought McClenny’s former service weapon from Town Police Supply in Collinsville.

McClenny believes the gun wasn’t given to him because he has spoken to the Franklin City Council in the past about hostile working conditions under Hardison.

“He’s keeping it out of spite because I told on him to city council,” McClenny said.

Hardison didn’t return a phone call Tuesday asking for comment.

McClenny will represent himself during a hearing at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19.