Officers Quit The Department In Apparent Protest

Sunday, September 30th 2007, 7:26 pm

By: News On 6

COLBERT, Okla. (AP) -- Three Colbert police officers, including the Bryan County town's police chief, have quit their jobs in apparent protest of the termination of a department secretary. Town Administrator Sharon Smith says the Colbert police department was $25,000 over budget, which resulted in secretary Libby Vivone's termination.

Smith says when she informed the officers on Friday that Vivone had lost her job, Chief Kurtis Smith and two other officers walked off the job.

Smith says Colbert has two other officers still employed with the department and a third is set to start on Monday. She says the county sheriff's office will help with law enforcement in the town if necessary.

Smith has been the town's administrator since September 10, after previously serving as its clerk and treasurer.