Milton: Allegations Against Former Police Officers being Forwarded to State

During the press conference Thursday announcing Eric Schmitt as the new Branson Police Chief, Mayor Larry Milton addressed the investigation of the former Chief and an officer.

Milton said that after complaints were reported about former Chief Jeff Matthews and Sgt. Pat Gray, City Administrator Cathy Stepp brought in an outside firm to investigate the allegations while the pair were on Administrative Leave. While Milton didn't specify, he did say that was some misconduct discovered during the investigation and that information was being forwarded to the state level. Later when asked if Matthews and Gray were asked to resign, Stepp said they were not. Both officers tended their resignations to the city on Monday. 

After the press conference, Ozarks Dynacom News asked City Officials what state agency would be looking at the information generated from the investigation and was informed that it would be the Peace Officers Standards and Training program which operates within the Missouri Department of Public Safety.  

Eric Schmitt takes over as Police Chief after five years as Assistant Chief with the Department.