(Spirit Lake)– The recent shake-up in the police department was a topic of discussion at Tuesday evening’s Spirit Lake City Council meeting.
It was standing room only as a huge crowd overflowed the council chambers, demanding answers in the recent termination of officer Doug Ricke and the switching of Larry Moorehead from Captain to patrol officer. City Attorney Earl Maahs responded to the latter issue, saying the position of Captain was eliminated by Chief Jon Martyr. Martyr, who was at the meeting, said he didn’t think the position was necessary.
Many who spoke at the meeting questioned Martyr’s actions and called for his removal. But Mayor Eric Nielsen again said Martyr has the backing of the majority of city council members. And he read a recommendation made by the city’s Public Safety Committee following a special meeting of that body a couple weeks ago. It states in part that Martyr acted within his power and city policy, and that the committee won’t second guess his actions.
Nielsen again repeated the city’s frustration in not being able to tell it’s side of the story because of legalities and the confidentiality of personnel files.
Several people at the meeting again questioned the process used in hiring a new chief…saying somebody should have been promoted from within.
Nielsen again defended the process that was used. He challenged Ricke to sit down with city officials in an open forum to talk about the hiring process.
Ricke wasn’t present for last evening’s meeting.
