On May 2, the Kempner City Council voted to lay off two of the city's officers. This cuts the paid police force for the city in half.
They will have two volunteer reserve officers on hand if needed.
Mayor Crane said the city simply can not afford the cost of the additional officers at this time. The city expected a profit increase this year, but it has not come in.
The officers being let go said they feel as if it is retaliation for grievances they filed against the Mayor on April 24, two weeks prior to the vote. The complaints mentioned the mayor not letting the police chief run the department without interference and the feeling of personal vendettas.
The mayor said the filed grievances have nothing to do with the officers being let go, but the city of Kempner is not releasing an official statement regarding the grievances until their meeting on May 22.
The officers were given a two-weeks notice. The city let them leave early with full wages and benefits for the full two weeks.
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