City of California accepts police chief’s resignation during special meeting
CALIFORNIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
California Police Chief Daniel Hurt has resigned from his position. The Board of Aldermen accepted Chief Hurt's resignation during an emergency meeting on Friday night.
The city's meeting was announced with less than 24 hours notice. The city posted a notice on its doors at 1 p.m. informing residents of the meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. According to the agenda, the meeting was to discuss "police department concerns."
The board met behind closed doors for an hour and a half. During that portion of the meeting, the board also agreed to eliminate its mileage policy.
"The city had a policy in place that required officers to live within 20 miles of California. We decided to remove that requirement," Mayor Lanny Ash said.
Ash also acknowledged a shortage of police officers.
"It's an unfortunate situation, but the city will do its best to move forward. Citizens are our main concern, the safety of the community," Ash said.
Ash declined to comment when asked about the reasons for the chief's departure.
Ash said he has frequently communicated with Moniteau County Sheriff Tony Wheatley, who is assisting the city during this time.
Wheatley wrote in an email Friday to ABC 17 News that his department was working to ensure California has law enforcement coverage. Wheatley wrote that the city's mayor told him about the emergency meeting during a brief conversation.
Wheatley wrote that he heard the department had several recent resignations and might only have two officers on staff in the city of about 4,500 that is Moniteau County's seat of government.
