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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The search to hire a new Valley City Police Chief is on hold due to a proposed petition, that if approved, would ask city voter whether or not they would want to place the administrative control of the police department under the Barnes County Sheriff’s office.

On Tuesday, January 5th the city commission approved of creating a 7 member committee to research the feasibility of eliminating the police department and contracting law enforcement services with the sheriff’s office if approved by city voters.

Valley City Administrator David Schlelkoph says because of the unknown outcome of a citywide vote the city commission agreed to study the issue over a 3 month period using a 7 member committee.

The committee will be made up with a mixture of community leaders and city residents approved by the Valley City commission.

Police Chief Fred Thompson told KOVC radio news that he has agreed to stay on as police chief until further notice.