Peterson retires, Clark let go, Odessa has no police

Odessa Mayor Bill Crossley has confirmed that Officer Bryce Peterson retired from the Odessa Police Dept. last Friday and that police chief Tom Clark was let go Monday evening of this week for what Crossley described as “the best interests of the town.” As most of our readers are probably aware, Crossley cannot discuss personnel issues in much detail because of privacy laws.

A meeting in the public library on Wednesday, December 5, was announced Tuesday for the council to review a temporary contract with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to provide interim coverage for the Town of Odessa until two new officers can be hired to fill the now vacant positions. There was never any intention, Crossley said, of disbanding the Odessa Police Dept. or of using the Sheriff’s Office for anything more than a stopgap measure.

Town Clerk Denise Snead told The Record that the noon meeting would be short and sweet because the library would be needed for Santa during Christmas. It was the only day and time, she said, when a quorum was available to meet.