Sheriff’s office to provide temporary services to Baxter

Following the resignation of Baxter Police Chief Bill Daggett this past February, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors authorized the sheriff’s office to provide temporary law enforcement services until the small town’s mayor and city council can determine a more permanent solution going forward.

Lt. Brad Shutts of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office told the board of supervisors that the department has offered this type of service to Baxter in the past.

“The City of Baxter, with the loss of their police chief and the resignation last month, approached the sheriff’s office about some contract law enforcement like we’ve done in years past,” he said. “Back in 2017 we did something for them to get by until they can make a decision for what they want to do as a community.”

According to the agreement, the sheriff’s office will respond to and handle emergency and non-emergency calls for service, investigate traffic complaints and accidents, investigate crimes, enforce traffic violations and conduct routine and special patrols as requested by the mayor or the city council.

The contract expires June 30 and does not automatically renew.

Newton News previously reported that three city employees in Baxter submitted resignations in a two-week period. In addition to the police chief, those who resigned include city clerk Katie Wilson and EMS director Randi Gliem. The newspaper learned utility clerk Erin Suttek resigned recently, too.

Baxter Mayor Doug Bishop told supervisors he was very thankful to the county for providing law enforcement services to his city.

“Our chief of police resigned and is going to be the chief of police in Mitchellville, so we decided instead of rushing into it we’re going to get a consultant in and take our time trying to find a good fit for the City of Baxter,” Bishop said. “So we appreciate the sheriff’s office for stepping up to help us through that transfer.”