Police Chief Announces Retirement

Friday, March 2nd 2007, 6:22 am

By: News On 6

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (AP) _ The police chief of Bartlesville announces his retirement. Leo Willey, whose department is under investigation, will retire in June. Former Police Chief Tom Holland will serve as interim chief beginning March 6th.

According to the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, Willey's retirement comes amid an ongoing investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation into drugs missing from the Bartlesville Police Department's evidence room.

OSBI was brought in after Washington County District Attorney Rick Esser learned in January that hydrocodone and methamphetamine seized as evidence during a drug raid last year was missing. Esser subsequently dismissed charges against two defendants in the case.

There's also an internal department investigation about a reserve police officer.

Willey says he's disappointed about the probes but information about them will be released later.

The Bartlesville Fraternal Order of Police gave Willey a vote of no confidence in January.

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For more background on this story, click on the links below to read additional stories about Bartlesville's police chief.

1/17/2007 - OSBI Investigating Missing Drugs In Bartlesville Police Department

1/26/2007 - Bartlesville Police Chief Gets "No Confidence" Vote

1/29/2007 - Bartlesville Police Problems