O'Fallon fires police chief

O'FALLON, Mo.-- The police chief of this St. Louis suburb has been fired over accusations that he violated police policy.

Peter Cantwell, one of two city aldermen to vote against dismissing Steven Talbott, said the police chief came under fire for alleged improprieties involving the investigation of a drug overdose death at the home of former state representative Don Kissell and for problems with a towing company contract. Cantwell also said Talbott's handling of employee discipline matters was part of the reason he was fired.

Mayor Donna Morrow said Talbott had violated more than one rule, although city officials provided few specifics Friday. Talbott had been placed on administrative leave with pay last month.

Talbott said in a written statement that the charges were false and that he would continue to fight them until his name is cleared.

"I firmly believe that I am the victim of retaliation because I insisted on treating all criminal and internal investigations in an equal and uniform fashion and refused to use the police department as a political tool to further personal and political agendas at the expense of the citizens of the city of O'Fallon," Talbott said.

Police were called to Kissell's home in O'Fallon last month after his 23-year-old daughter called 911 to report an emergency involving two acquaintances who were unconscious near the pool. Both men were taken to a hospital and treated for overdoses. One died.

Kissell served as a lobbyist for the Missouri Police Chiefs Association. Steven Talbott, who had been O'Fallon's police chief for nearly 10 years, is a member of that group's board.

Aldermanic President Lyn Schipper said residents, police officers and county, state and federal agencies, as well as employees, brought numerous issues to the attention of the board.

"I, as an elected official, am expected to take the appropriate actions when issues are presented to me. Sometimes these actions are not popular, but that does not make them any less appropriate," he said.

St. Charles County Prosecutor Jack Banas said his office is not investigating any wrongdoing on Talbott's part in connection with the Kissell case.