Paullina, Iowa — One northwest Iowa community is having to change their law enforcement situation on the spur of the moment.
Paullina Mayor Marlin Sjaarda tells us that their police chief, Nathan Bremer, had turned in his retirement letter, and that the City of Paullina had intended to replace Bremer — but in the meantime, they were going to utilize the services of Paullina Reserve Officer Cain Junkman.
But, Sjaarda says the city was advised by legal counsel that the plan would not be legal. He says they were under the impression that Junkman could continue to patrol as long as there was a certified officer on the police roster.
But legal counsel advised the City that Junkman can not serve unless it is under a police chief. Since their chief retired on Friday, this was going to leave the City of Paullina without police protection.
Sjaarda tells us that on Friday morning, O’Brien County Sheriff Bruce Devereaux allowed his deputies to help out the City of Paullina during the deputies’ off-shift hours as part-time police officers for Paullina on a temporary basis.
Mayor Sjaarda tells us the recruitment process for a new Paullina Police Chief continues.
