Ashland Board of Aldermen vote to reduce salary for police chief, still on administrative leave

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Board of Alderman for the City of Ashland voted on Tuesday to reduce the salary for police chief, Gabe Edwards, who is still on paid administrative leave.

According to a release from the city, the board voted to change his salary by 50%, bringing his hourly rate to $18.24.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is currently investigating Edwards and the city administrator, Kyle Michel, says he will stay on paid leave until that investigation is complete and a report has been presented to the Board of Aldermen.

The city was also served a lawsuit filed by a former police officer on Tuesday that alleges Edwards of "unlawful acts, mismanagement and abuses of authority." Michel said the city has no record of any grievances by Whitener.

Edwards has been on administrative leave since Monday, July 17.