Sedan council weighs options after police chief and officer resign; residents urge keeping department

The Sedan City Council met in a special session March 6 and heard that the city’s police chief and a police officer have tendered their resignations, leaving officials to consider whether to disband the department, contract with the county sheriff, or recruit new local officers.

Councilmember Adam Clark told the meeting that both the chief and an officer "have tendered their resignations" and that they were "seeking opportunities elsewhere," prompting the council to evaluate several paths forward, including contracting with the county, hiring an ordinance officer to handle city code enforcement, or rehiring sworn officers.

Mayor Kathy Miller opened the meeting to public comment. Councilmember Crystal Wade said she wanted community voices heard; several residents who spoke at the public meeting urged the council not to disband the police department and flagged budget and safety concerns if local policing were eliminated.

The council discussed operational details and costs. One option raised was hiring a city ordinance officer to enforce municipal codes, which council members noted would add administrative salary and fees. Another proposal considered contracting with the county sheriff’s office to place two deputies in the city or contracting deputies temporarily to cover city patrols while the city recruits replacement officers.

The meeting included routine procedure: Wellington Butler moved to approve the special-meeting agenda and Angela Evans seconded; the motion passed 4-0 (0 Nay, 4 Yay). At 6:10 p.m., Councilmember Angela Evans moved to adjourn; Crystal Wade seconded and the meeting ended.

No formal decision was recorded on the long-term structure of policing in Sedan. The council listed options and received public feedback; further action or formal votes on contracting or staffing were not taken at this session.