Tisbury selectmen have sacked the town’s police chief, John Cashin, following his outspoken criticism last week of dissident officers within his department and of selectmen for alleged meddling in his running of the department.

In a statement released this morning, they announced he would leave the post tomorrow, two and a half months before the expiration of his contract.

His early termination, it said, was decided by mutual agreement.

In an interview with the Gazette last Thursday, Chief Cashin said a handful of police had been hostile towards him ever since his appointment, and had spread “vile, preposterous and outrageous” rumors about his sexual preferences, including an alleged sexual advance to a male officer, substance abuse, and his sanity.

He said the department was dysfunctional, that five members of the 13-strong force were involved in the whispering campaign against him, and that he was contemplating legal action against some of them for defamation.

He also accused one of the selectmen — who he declined to name but who was identified by several other sources as Jeff Kristal — of undermining his authority by interceding on behalf of an officer Chief Cashin wanted to discipline for abuse of sick leave entitlements.

He effectively challenged the selectmen to choose between him and his opponents within the department, saying that if he was let go it would leave ‘the inmates in charge of the asylum.”

Chief Cashin’s extraordinary comments sparked a series of meetings by the selectmen, on Friday and again yesterday. They will meet again today to decide on interim plans for the department while they seek a new chief — the town’s third in three years.

In today’s statement, the selectmen expressed disappointment that Chief Cashin’s relationship with the town was ending.

“However,” it said, “they collectively agreed that it was time to move in a new direction.”

It quoted board chairman Tristan Israel: “I speak for the entire board when I say that we have nothing but the utmost respect for Mr. Cashin and the improvements he’s made within the Tisbury police department.

“His refreshing approach to community policing, and dedication to law enforcement has been greatly appreciated.

“We thank him for his hard work and wish him nothing but the best in all his future endeavors.”

In the normal course of events, Chief Cashin’s contract would have come up for renewal on Sept. 5.