Following the firing of the only two full-time police officers in Truesdale, Mayor Murray Bruer said police coverage won't be hampered in any way. He said a staff of several part-time officers already under contract with the city will be patrolling the streets on a more regular basis. He also added that the Warren County Sheriff's Department will continue to respond to emergency calls and provide assistance when needed. "We will go ahead and continue with our part-time people and give them more hours," Bruer said. "We will try to get a better spread. It's not going to be a Truesdale PD 24/7, but the hours will be covered that we feel are critical. "I think it's been adequate, as best as a small town can afford. With the help of the county, it has given the citizens the coverage they need." Last Wednesday, Nov. 18, aldermen voted 4-0 to terminate Police Chief Ken Black and officer David Ingle if neither voluntarily resigns. Bruer said the officers' firings were due to performance-related issues. Specific details were not released due to the move being a personnel issue. Both Black and Ingle described being "blindsided" by the board's vote to terminate them. They said no disciplinary action or issues have been raised with either of them. Black had served as police chief since 1996, while Ingle had been employed full time since August 2008 and was a part-time officer since 2004. Bruer, however, said past conversations were held related to performance and expectations from the department. Bruer also confirmed that the Missouri State Highway Patrol conducted a criminal investigation into the police department, but he said it had nothing to do with the firings. Warren County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wright said the patrol's report is still under review by his office. The city currently has eight part-time officers, according to Bruer. At least three of them are not involved with regular patrols. He said two officers are under contract as D.A.R.E. officers through the Warrenton Police Department to serve at Rebecca Boone Elementary and another officer normally handles administrative work. The officers are employed in nearby departments, including Warrenton and the Warren County Sheriff's Department. The sheriff's department already provides service to the city when Truesdale doesn't have an officer on duty. In that respect, Sheriff Kevin Harrison doesn't anticipate much change. The county officers, though, won't be able to enforce city ordinances. "The officers are driving through and will continue to do that," Harrison said. "Any call for service we will respond. We can backfill the absences of their personnel until needed. The sheriff's department will pick up any slack. As always, we will be there." According to city officials, the city had budgeted $15,000 for part-time help in the police department, but most of the funding was used when Black suffered a heart attack earlier this year and when he filed a worker's compensation claim in January when he fell while on duty and broke two ribs. Black and Ingle will continue to be paid through the end of the year, including health insurance and retirement benefits, according to city officials. Officials anticipate amending the budget, which ends June 20, 2010, to cover the extra expense of using part-time officers more regularly. Bruer also said there was no truth to the rumor that the city's police department will be disbanded. "I have been and am concerned about the patrol as far as our citizens are concerned," he told The Record. "Police presence is very important. We want to make sure we keep that up. We are at a juncture here where we have to decide how we handle the future."