Dexter board reassigns police chief, sergeant

DEXTER, Mo. -- Dexter's chief of police and a top officer have had an adjustment in assignments following an executive session of the Dexter Board of Aldermen on Wednesday night.

City administrator Mark Stidham said Thursday that aldermen voted unanimously to reassign police chief Ken Rinehart and Sgt. Sammy Stone to duties "outside the Dexter police station" and to be under Stidham's supervision. The official written report of the executive session said the reassignment would continue "until resolution of pending charges."

The action was taken in light of charges against the two police officers. In January, a Stoddard County grand jury handed down separate indictments charging the two officers with hindering the prosecution in the case of former Dexter police officer Robert Kennedy. That case has been referred by Judge Steven Sharp to the Missouri Supreme Court for assignment to a new judge.

On Jan. 18, Dexter Mayor John Pruitt named Lt. Paul Haubold acting police chief and said Rinehart and Stone would remain on active duty in administrative roles.

Stidham had no further comment on the action, except to say he met with Rinehart and Stone Wednesday evening following the board's decision.

"We are still working out some kinks this morning," Stidham said Thursday.

The city board met under the Missouri Open Meetings and Records Law that allows governmental boards to meet in closed session when discussing legal actions or personnel matters. However, the law stipulates that "any vote on a final decision ... to hire, fire, promote or discipline an employee of a public governmental body must be made available."