VCPDValley City  (CSi)  Valley City residents may see a petition circulating, asking if electing a police chief should be put on an election ballot as an initiated measure. Three Valley City residents have formed a committee to initiate paperwork which has been filed to circulate a petition.

Brian Mindt of  Valley City is reported to saying that he and other residents believe electing a police chief, who is now appointed,  is a good idea.

The three members of the sponsoring committee consist of  Mindt, Larry Hetland and Anthony Drake.

At the January 17, 2017,  the Valley City Commission  unanimously approved Acting Police Chief, Lt. Phil Hatcher becoming the permanent Chief of Police effective immediately, which followed the retirement of Fred Thompson in December of 2016.

City Administrator David Schelkoph said a search committee and the process would have taken three months to complete.  He and Commissioner Bishop the police portfolio holder agreed that promoting from within is positive and will save time and money for the city.

Bishop said he’s looking at longevity in Hatcher’s appointment.

City Attorney Myhre added that Hatcher is highly professional and understands the law, and endorses Hatcher’s promotion.

Former Police Chief Fred Thompson resigned on December 8, 2016 and the City Commission accepted the resignation.