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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) A petition to allow a sponsoring committee to gather signatures to disband the Valley City police department has been approved by the city.

City Auditor Avis Richter said the sponsoring committee will have to gather 465 valid signatures from city residents before the proposed initiated city ordinance petition can be presented to the city commission for their approval to set up a citywide vote.  

If approved, Valley City residents would vote up or down to approve setting up an ordinance to revert the responsibilities of the Valley City Police Department to the Barnes County Sheriff.

The city stopped its search for a new police chief due to the unknown outcome of this proposed petition.

Police Chief Fred Thompson will remain on the job until further notice. Last year he said he would resign to spend more time with his family in Nevada.

The petition sponsoring committee include Tony Drake, Lloyd Nelson and Bob Drake.