thompsonVCchiefValley City (CSi) Valley City Mayor, Bob Werkhoven has issued a statement in response to the resignation of Police Chief Fred Thompson.

He says the statement is in response to “Public concerns and comments, and recent discussions with the police chief regarding his resignation, and other issues at the Valley City Police Department.”

Mayor Werkhoven says the recent issues have prompted him to look at “other options with regard to the administration of the Valley City Police Department.”

The mayor says an option is to have the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office provide oversight to the police department, as is the case with some cities of similar size to Valley City.

He points out that the county sheriff is an elected position, providing citizens to have a say in “who provides local law enforcement, improve communications between local agencies and political entities and in the long run be more economical.”

He says  there are going to be differences and controversial issues, initially, and that a study might be feasible.

At the October 20, 2015 Valley City Commission meeting

David Schelkoph said a Job Service request will be made to advertise for a new police chief, in the wake of Fred Thompson’s resignation.

He said resumes and applications will be taken through the end of November, then interviewing candidates in the first part of December and have someone ready to go by the middle of January.

Chief Fred Thompson says that his resignation will be effective in January. Thompson says he wants to spend more time with his family.

He issued his laetter of resignation earlier in Ocotber.

“I have now been in the business of policing for 7 years part-time and 32 years full-time.  Over those years I have missed countless family gatherings, birthday parties, celebrations, and other events in life that people hold dear in my steadfast desire to serve the public good and to be the best that I could be in my profession. I have recently learned that my eighth grandchild, a grandson, will be born in the first part of February 2016.  With this in mind I have made the decision that I am not going to miss spending time with this grandchild as I have done way to often with the others.  I intend to tender my resignation as the Chief of Police for the Valley City Police Department effective 1700 hours on January 15, 2016.  I want to inform you that it has been a pleasure serving the Valley City Police Department and the citizens of Valley City.”