Waurika News Democrat

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October 1, 2009

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After Tolle’s resignation, Waurika seeks applicants to fill police chief position

Jeff Kaley

WAURIKA — After receiving a resignation from Earnest Tolle, the City of Waurika has been taking applications for a new chief of police.

“We have advertised the position and we’ve had 10 to 15 applications so far,” said City Manager Chuck Brown, who’s heading the job search to replace Tolle, who had been Waurika’s Chief of Police since 2005.

Through an attorney, Tolle submitted a resignation nearly two weeks ago, after he was placed on administrative leave in July.

On July 28, Brown informed Tolle he was being dismissed from the position, pending a opportunity to appeal. At that time, Tolle was placed on paid administrative leave.

During August, two meetings with an appeal panel were scheduled, but those meetings were postponed.

Late in August, Tolle informed city officials through his attorney that he would resign. He received a severance package that included all pay up to the time of his resignation, including the time on paid leave, as well as vacation time accrued.

Once Tolle’s resignation became official in September, Brown began a job search process that is currently underway.

“We’ll close the application period on Friday,” Brown noted. “Then there will be an interview process and we’ll pick the new chief from there.”

Since Tolle was placed on leave, Waurika Police Deputy Stephen Dyer has been handling the bulk of patrols, with assistance from a reserve officer and members of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

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