Moniteau County Sheriff’s Office enters agreement with City of California, looks to rebuild city’s police department

CALIFORNIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Moniteau County Sheriff’s Office entered an agreement with City of California last week, according to a Monday press release from the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office wrote in the release that it is looking to rebuild the city’s police department. This comes after resignations from the city’s police officers occurred after former Chief Daniel Hurt  resigned from his position on Aug. 23.

“During this transitional period, the Moniteau County Sheriff’s Office will assume all patrol and enforcement duties within the city. The sheriff’s office is currently seeking qualified law enforcement professionals, including applicants for the position of Chief of Police,” the release says.

Moniteau County Sheriff Tony Wheatley told ABC 17 News in an email that the city had a few reserve officers. The Sheriff’s Office began assisting with covering California last month.

“We want to make it abundantly clear to anyone considering exploiting this situation to victimize the citizens of California, Missouri, or Moniteau County that such actions will not be tolerated. Our patrol division will be fully staffed; patrolling both the county and city, and additional proactive enforcement patrols will be conducted. The safety of our communities remains our top priority."

Those interested in becoming police officers should contact sheriff@moniteaucounty.org.