Tea To Hire New Police Chief/Officer

by Ashley Kringen, Reporter
November 19, 2012 9:36 PM


On Monday night, the Tea City Council gathered for the first time following the unexpected resignation of two police officials.

The Chief of Police and an officer turned in their resignations about three weeks ago, which have left city leaders in Tea scrambling to fill the open positions.

The meeting was pretty quick and no details about the resignations were given.

The conversation, led by the Mayor of Tea, John Lawler, outlined the hiring process for a new Chief of Police, filling former Chief Brian Ketterhagen's spot and a new police officer to fill former officer James Klimple's job.

Klimple, was at the meeting as the Mayor talked about replacing his position.

Mayor Lawler, said applications from candidates are filing in for the two open jobs and said the city of Tea will proceed with the exact same hiring criteria they have followed in the past, this time, the city is asking for assistance from the South Dakota Chief of Police Association.
          
"They are willing to help us in any way if we want them to help with the screening of applications, do some of the interviewing, they are available there for assistance on," said Lawler.

The Mayor said they will be advertising for these positions from here on out and the city is hoping to attract both in-state and out-of-state candidates.
     
Following the meeting, KDLT News asked Klimple if he would be willing to speak with about his resignation and he said no to the interview.

The next Tea City Council meeting is on Monday, December 3rd.