Dexter city government decides not to rehire longtime police chief

DEXTER, Mo. -- A Dexter city official said the city will not be reinstating Paul Haubold as police chief, despite Haubold's efforts in that direction.

Haubold officially retired from the top spot at the local department late last week. After changing his mind, however, he had approached city administrator Mark Stidham on Wednesday morning, asking if the city would reconsider and allow him to reinstated as chief.

Stidham said late Wednesday that he, along with city attorney Bud Lawrence and Mayor Joe Weber, met to discuss Haubold's request and have decided not to grant it.

"We met as a group earlier in the week and had already put into motion a decision to go in another direction," Stidham said, "and we have agreed to stay on track with that plan."

"Paul has done a fine job for us and we have all the respect in the world for his work, but we felt as a group that it's time for the city of Dexter to go in a new direction," Stidham

said.

Maj. Sammy Stone is serving as interim chief of police until a final decision can be made as to who will fill Haubold's shoes.