The Natalia City Council took no action regarding the City’s police department during a Special meeting held on Monday, June 8.
Council entered into executive session for what the meeting agenda described as, “Review/discuss/consider legal issues and options related to the Natalia Police Department operations, protocols, and available options for the continued provision of law enforcement services.
After around an hour in executive session, Council returned to open session but declined to take any action. Sheriff Randy Brown then gave a presentation regarding available assistance.
“It was more of an informative meeting than anything else,” Mayor Tommy Ortiz said. “We got a lot of great input and ideas from different people, including the Sheriff, who gave a presentation. He made a really good point when he pointed out that the Sheriff’s office has to cover the rural areas of the county, and he used the example that if they were tied up with a major accident or call, there could be a delay in how quickly they respond.”
Ortiz said Council has several options about the best way to move forward in the wake of former Chief Glenn Barrow’s recent resignation, and hoped they would do so within the next two to three weeks.
“We have several options. Do we want to name an interim chief, or do we want to begin accepting applications right away? Or do we want to contract with the Sheriff’s office for partial coverage while also keeping a couple of officers at Natalia PD? Those are a few of the options and ideas that have been discussed.”
The next Regular Council meeting is scheduled for next Monday, June 15 at 6:00 pm.
By Marly Davis and Kayleen Holder
