Acting Police Chief David Simmons was removed from his position and terminated from employment with the City of Fredericktown. He has accepted a position with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.

City Administrator Michael O’Gara provided the aldermen and mayor his findings during the closed session meeting according to recorded minutes during the  August 27, 2007 session. Reasons for the removal remain in closed records as provided by Missouri Sunshine Laws. When the Council returned to open session a motion and vote was taken under the “any other business” portion of the agenda to remove Simmons from the position. The motion passed unanimously. Simmons was on hand at the meeting to hear the vote.

O’Gara then recommended some further changes to the police department to help revitalize and reorganize it including changing the name of the Deputy Police Chief to Captain, and authorizing the City Administrator to obtain the services of a police consultant either under contract or on loan from a larger department, until such time as a commanding Captain of the Police Department can be recruited. The recorded minutes indicated the reason for the change as: The purpose of the consultant will be to assist in providing interim command supervision as well as working to start identifying and correcting the administrative policy and operational deficiencies of the department.

Fredericktown Police Officer Sergeant Ashby was temporarily given the rank Acting Lieutenant, with a temporary acting pay increase equivalent to $100 per week, to supervise field operations until the City can hire an interim consultant. Also, to have a supplementary appropriation to the 2007 budget approved in the amount of $7,500 to fund the police consultant/Captain position. Motion passed unanimously.