Ashland Board of Aldermen meets, does not appoint interim police chief

ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Ashland Board of Alderman met Tuesday night, the first time after announcing on Monday that Police Chief Gabe Edwards was placed on administrative leave.

The Board met in a closed session for more than an hour, but ultimately did not take the steps to appoint an interim police chief.

Ward 2 Alderwoman Stephanie Bell noted before going into closed session that officials should not disclose anything said in the session. She also said that aldermen who did, could be subject to disciplinary action.

City officials have not said why Edwards was suspended, citing legal protections of public worker records. City Administrator Kyle Michel also told ABC 17 News that he was unsure of when an interim chief would be appointed.

A Monday press release states Edwards' leave relates to a personnel matter. According to the release, information will be released "when the matter is concluded."

This is the second time a police chief has been relieved of his duties in Ashland over the past few years.

In 2020, former Police Chief Lyn Woolford, who was also the public administrator, was suspended and then fired.

Woolford sued the city in February 2020 after he was suspended from his job as Ashland's police chief and removed from the post of city administrator. Woolford alleged the actions happened after he refused to personally intervene in a domestic dispute involving the mayor. A settlement was eventually reached.