Watonga Police Chief Shawn Kays has been placed on paid administrative leave, City Manager Larry Mitchell confirmed, and his position and employment are under review.
The leave began on Saturday, May 22, Mitchell told the Watonga Republican.
Watonga currently does not have an assistant chief of police, so Kays’ administrative duties will be divided between two shift commanders in the meantime, Mitchell said. Sgt. Aaron Vales will handle the daytime responsibilities, and Sgt. Rory Espy will cover the night shift.
Mitchell said he is available to advise the shift commanders with any administrative problems they have. The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office has also offered assistance with dispatching and backup during this time, he added.
Mitchell will personally oversee Kays’ review, he said, because he is responsible for all city personnel decisions under the new council-manager form of government the city transitioned to earlier this year.
Mitchell was unable to comment further on the circumstances surrounding Kays’ leave. Kays declined to comment when reached Tuesday via text message.
The leave comes as the Watonga Police Department prepares for an operational review from Oklahoma Municipal Management Services, which will be headed by former Sapulpa Police Chief Rick Rumsey.
The review is not an investigation, but rather an evaluation of current policies and procedures. Mitchell said the review will begin as early as next week and will involve extensive interviews with police officers, administrative staff, city leaders and community members.
OMMS will then issue a report to the city manager and city council, which Mitchell anticipates will be reviewed by the council sometime in the late summer.
The Watonga PD is now seeking applications for assistant police chief and a police officer position. Interested applicants can contact Amanda Black with the City of Watonga.