Concerns about employee morale and a silent mutiny within the Gainesville Police Department were on the minds of city management and human resources officials when they interviewed candidates to fill the role of major in mid-August, just weeks before Chief Brian Kelly resigned. Emails obtained by The Times through an open records request help clarify the timeline of events that led to Kelly’s ouster, including details about the city’s inquiry into the police department that ultimately pushed the chief out the door. The story begins with the controversial departure of Maj. Paul Sherman in January.