Warrenton Police Chief Davis Bernard, forced to resign last week, has been replaced by Lt. Greg Houdyshell. The Warrenton Board of Aldermen voted unanimously in an executive session Sept. 1 to give Bernard the option of resigning or be terminated. Bernard tendered his resignation Wednesday, according to city officials. In the same closed meeting, aldermen voted 6-0 to promote Houdyshell and increase his yearly salary to $58,000. He was making $48,959.90 as a lieutenant. Bernard was being paid $55,681.92. Details of a severance package are being worked out between Bernard and the city, Mayor Greg Costello said. "The city has been striving to be more professional," Costello told The Record. "We have really tried to be more consumer conscious, a friendlier city. The board came to a conclusion we weren't getting what we wanted from the police department." Both Terri Thorn, director of operations/finance officer, and Costello denied that Bernard's removal was due to a recent spat with Warren County Fair Board members. In a meeting held Aug. 25 with the city, Fair Board officials were critical of the treatment received from Bernard related to last-minute parade preparations. The Fair Board also complained about Warrenton police having two undercover officers at the fairgrounds though the department previously said it would not provide security at the event. The officers were asked to leave the premises. In response, city officials said the police department was taking advantage of a grant to combat underage drinking. "I can tell you that issue had nothing to do with this decision," Costello remarked. "That is not the reason for making this change." Bernard had been employed with the city for more than 20 years. He was named acting chief in November 2007 following the sudden resignation of Pat Harney. The interim tag was removed in February 2008. Houdyshell has been employed with the city for less than a year. Before coming to Warrenton, he was captain of the patrol division in Lincoln County for six years. He also worked his way through the ranks during a 10-year stint in Charlack, a municipality in north St. Louis County. "It was unexpected, but I am more than happy to step up," Houdyshell said. "There are a lot of people with long-term relationships on a personal level with Davis. Everyone took it hard. On the upside, everyone is looking forward to the future. He added, "We are in position to move forward. We want to continue providing professional police service." Thorn and Costello praised Houdyshell for his experience and leadership in his short tenure with the city. "I believe he has exhibited the ability to lead the police department," Thorn said. "He has qualities to do a good job there."