Chaffee police chief Jesse Chisum said his decision to resign resulted from a desire to do what's best for the city and his personal goal of doing well in nursing school.

Chisum started his job last August with some enthusiasm, but within three months was at odds with some police personnel board and city council members, as well as Mayor Loretta Mohorc. The struggle culminated Feb. 6 in a closed session attempt to impeach Mohorc -- the vote failed -- or force her resignation. She tendered a resignation but rescinded it within an hour. At the same time, residents complained of overenthusiastic police work, including excessive traffic stops.

But after February's ice storms and March's floods, city officials seemed to have turned a corner. Mohorc openly praised Chisum and his department for working through the storms.

"Over the course of my tenure, we've basically resolved our issues," Chisum said, adding that the two still disagreed on some things, but could work well together.

He said the pressures of the last year, combined with a better understanding of each other's jobs and having to deal with February's ice storms and March's devastating flooding resulted in a bond.

"I believe that she's grown to respect me because I wouldn't cut tail and run when the going got rough," he said. "And I respect her for the same thing, because it got rough for the both of us."

His resignation letter, which he delivered last week to Mohorc, said he felt it was "unfair to expect the city to provide a full-time salary for part-time work."

His job ends July 13; Monday he told Chaffee City Council his last day in the office would be Sunday.

Mohorc said the key for getting along was focusing on what was best for the city.

"I have a lot of respect for you, all the stuff you go though in your jobs," Chisum told the board, adding to Mohorc, "My hat's off to you."

After councilman Bill Dysinger thanked him for working to build the department, Chisum said he did not do it alone.

After announcing his resignation, Chisum asked the council and the police board to hire an outsider as his replacement, though he did not suggest anyone in particular.

"We've got a lot devoted folks in here that don't get paid hardly anything," Chisum said. "I just feel they need to selective in who they put into this position. It doesn't need to be one of the good ol' boys."

Robert Grojean, chairman of the city's police personnel board, attended the meeting, but did not speak. After Chisum's announcement, Grojean said he heard of the resignation earlier and planned to schedule a police personnel board meeting after contacting other board members this week.

Chisum, 35, said he's attending Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences. He said he expects to graduate in 2010 "with a whole lot of luck. The council has been very good to me."

He said he is not sorry to leave police work.

"How many police officers can say that after eight years, I made chief of police?" he said.

In his last report to the city council, he said Chaffee police work in June and July included 85 traffic stops, 14 citations, two warrant arrests and responses to 10 domestic disturbances. The department also made a drug bust and responded to a call about an alleged rape.

Chisum told the city council his officers had collected five stray dogs since July 1. He said it would cost $25 to transport the dogs to a Humane Society shelter in Sikeston, but that it would cost $26 to euthanize the animals.

"I'd just as soon give 'em over to the Humane Society and maybe someone will take one of these little fellas home," he said.

The city council also agreed to a free survey to determine the number of tornado sirens needed for Chaffee and strategic locations for installation.

When asked about the possibility of an ethics violation for having Jessica Swinford, a city employee, serve on the parks and recreation advisory board, David Summers, the city attorney, said, "It's not good for the city. She needs to give up one."

After a brief discussion about the city's water having a bad odor and taste, Mohorc announced that, during the week of July 13, the city's water pipes, including hydrants, would be flushed to clean out the system.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127

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