Richardson Out At Mitchell PD

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(MITCHELL) - Mitchell Police Chief Jim Richardson has been temporarily suspended without pay as of yesterday.

Mitchell Mayor Dan Terrell tells WBIW News Richardson was suspended because he failed to complete the 120 hours of training required for police chiefs and officers who have been out of law enforcement duty for as long as he has.

Terrell is disappointed with the result but says he "brought it on himself" for not getting the training done, and that the suspension puts a further hardship on the short-staffed department.

With one officer already out for a new more months for academy training, Mitchell may have to look more to reserve officers to fill shifts, since only one officer is on duty during any given shift.

In the interim, Assistant Chief Steve Blair is sitting in for during Chief Richardson's suspension, but Mayor Terrell did say he intends to reinstate Richardson, should he complete the necessary training.

Richardson had been out of law enforcement service, according to Terrell, for about 9 years prior to his appointment as Chief of Police, and had 6 months to complete the legally required training.

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