Tensions Ease Between Summerdale Mayor and Chief

It looks like Summerdale Mayor David Wilson will NOT dissolve the police department after all. Police Chief Dwain Reibeling tells News 5 Wilson has given him the green light to hire at least two more officers, which, according to Reibeling, means his job is secure.

Earlier this week, Mayor Wilson told News 5 he was considering dissolving the police department and hiring sheriff's deputies to handle police duties in town.
Wilson says the move would have saved Summerdale money and given the town better police protection.

But the mayor might have changed his mind following a heated city council worksession Tuesday night, when dozens of concerned residents asked Wilson not to shut down the police department. At the meeting, tensions between the mayor and chief boiled over...Wilson accused Reibeling of mis-managing the police department...Reibeling then accused Wilson and the city council of trying to run him out of town.

Reibeling says he and the mayor are talking through their issues and says hiring two new officers could mean job security...at least for the time being.