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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Valley City Mayor Bob Werkhoven issued this statement to newsdakota.com concerning police chief Fred Thompson’s resignation:

“Public concerns, comments and my recent discussions with the police chief regarding his resignation and other issues at the Valley City Police Department has prompted me to look into some other options with regard to the administration of the Valley City Police Department.

One option that seems to be catching on with cities and counties with populations similar to Valley City and Barnes County is having the sheriff of the county provide the oversight to the police department.

The sheriff is an elected official which provide the opportunity for 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.”

Werkhoven said, “I understand there are going to be differences and controversial issues initially, but it just might be feasible and that’s all I would like to determine.”