The only two full-time police officers in Truesdale were dismissed last week, a move made prior to the results of a criminal investigation conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol into the police department were made public. Aldermen unanimously voted at a closed session meeting held last Wednesday, Nov. 18, to terminate both Police Chief Ken Black and Officer David Ingle if they don't voluntarily resign. Aldermen also agreed to pay a combined $9,831.25 as part of severance package ending Dec. 31. In addition, the officers will have their COBRA insurance and retirement benefits paid through Dec. 31 if all city-owned equipment and items are returned. The board voted 4-0 to approve the severance package. Black will receive $4,349.02 in severance pay, while Ingle will be paid $5,482.23. The severance includes regular salary, benefits, comp and vacation time, according to Mayor Murray Bruer. "It's basically a situation where the board felt they (Black and Ingle) weren't performing according to the wishes of the board for quite some time," Bruer told The Record. Black and Ingle were informed of the board's decision the following evening during separate meetings with city officials. When reached by The Record, Black and Ingle described being "blindsided" by the board's action when learning of their dismissal. Both officers said they had no indication they weren't meeting the expectations set by city officials. "I was totally surprised," said Black, who had been with the city for 13 years. "I was given no indication that the board was displeased with my performance. "It's now just sinking in," he later added. "I was totally blindsided yesterday." In more than six years with the city, Ingle said no disciplinary action had been taken against him nor had he heard one complaint. In a job evaluation in July, he received positive remarks, he said. "This blindsided me," Ingle said. "As much as it did, I have no hard feelings with the city of Truesdale, but I guess they have bigger and better plans." Bruer, however, said conversations had been held with the officers in the past related to performance. He also stated the Highway Patrol's investigation had no impact in the aldermen's decision to dismiss Black or Ingle. Warren County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wright said the Patrol's report is still under review and no decision on if charges will be filed has been made. The reasoning for the investigation into the police department has not been released. "It's embarrassing and disappointing," Bruer said. "The whole board is (disappointed)." The 57-year-old Black had been police chief in Truesdale since 1996. He also served as police chief in Hawk Point and Foristell. He was being paid $36,550 annually. Black has missed a considerable chunk of work this year due to two unrelated instances. This past summer, he suffered a heart attack. In January, he fell on the ice while on duty and suffered two broken ribs, an incident that led him to filing a worker's compensation claim against the city. Ingle, 40, has been employed full time since August 2008 in the city and has served as a part-time officer since 2004. He was earning $31,500 annually. In August at an aldermanic meeting, the police department was criticized by board members and the city attorney for failure to provide enough evidence in cases, particularly in cases where photos were not taken of assault victims. The issue was raised as aldermen voiced their displeasure with what they said was an increase in the number of calls handled by the department. At the time, city officials said they wanted to be tougher on repeat offenders by assessing jail costs if needed. Earlier in the summer, the city approved a police model code that gave the department more authority to crack down on criminal conduct in the city. Bruer commented that the city will continue to fund a police department. He anticipated meeting with the city's eight part-time officers this week to make sure the city has a consistent police presence. The Warren County Sheriff's Department will also continue to respond to emergency calls and patrol as needed.