Perryville board plans special meeting to discuss chief issues

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- At the recommendation of city attorney Thomas Ludwig, the Perryville Board of Aldermen on Wednesday set a special meeting for next week to discuss issues related to the election of its next police chief.

On Tuesday, voters rejected a measure that would have allowed the city to appoint, rather than elect, its chief.

Perryville's last chief, Keith Tarrillion, was arrested last week on charges of theft, forgery and making a false report after an investigation into an employee's sexual harassment complaint turned up an improperly filed police report on property damage to a hot tub and table at Tarrillion's home.

A document the city released Wednesday detailed allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and other unprofessional conduct by Tarrillion, who resigned in March.

Because he was an elected official, his behavior was beyond the city's control, Ludwig said in a telephone interview Wednesday.

Candidates can begin filing to run for Tarrillion's old job Dec. 17, but before the filing period begins, the city needs to establish the compensation package and clarify the qualifications for the position, Ludwig told the board Wednesday night.

Ideally, the board also would revisit its procedure for city employees who choose to run for public office, which currently requires them to step down from their positions during the campaign; establish hiring, firing and disciplinary procedures for personnel; and determine how to handle any future complaints of harassment or discrimination by the chief, Ludwig said.

Without set procedures for handling department personnel matters, the city is at risk for lawsuits, he said.

Handling complaints about an elected official could be difficult, Ludwig said, but the board needs to consider procedures for dealing with such problems should they arise again.

"We need to ask ourselves, 'What's our procedure going to be in the future when an employee walks in and says, "The elected chief of police grabbed my crotch," or an employee walks in and says, "The elected chief of police discriminated against me"?'" Ludwig said. " ... We need to think about what to do with that, because we were in a very difficult position during 2013, and nobody wants to be in that position again."

Because the board has only two regular meetings between now and Dec. 17, members agreed to meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday for a "study session" on the issue.

In other business Wednesday, the board:

• Approved a policy for use of an airport courtesy car.
• Discussed plans for a multipurpose court at the city's soccer complex.
• Unanimously approved a bill clarifying how the city determines the value of an unfit building.
• Approved the first reading of an amendment to the city's noise abatement ordinance.
• Discussed the need for "children at play" signs in several locations.

epriddy@semissourian.com

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Perryville, Mo.