Barnsdall Police Chief Suspended Without Pay

News On 6

BARNSDALL, OK -- An Osage County police chief who blew the whistle on what he says was a dangerous oil spill finds himself in trouble on the job.

Barnsdall Chief of Police Tony Gates was suspended indefinitely, without pay, one day after talking to The News On 6.

07/14/2009  Related Story: Oil Spill Raises Concerns In Barnsdall

Gates released pictures of an April oil spill on Lake Waxhoma, which provides the town's water supply.  Barnsdall's mayor says he suspended the chief for the betterment of the department.

The company responsible for the spill says it was minor, and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality says it was cleaned up properly.