Josh Tulloch will serve as Interim Police Chief until a new officer takes over the department. Mayor Skip Blancett appointed Tulloch as the interim chief on Feb. 23, following the resignation of Chief Jack Hensley the week before.

State law requires that any municipality that has a police force to appoint an interim chief in the absence of a permanent chief.

Aldermen confirmed the appointment at their March 2 meeting and on motion by Frank Coachman and a second from Amber Preston-Dankert.

“Following the resignation of Chief Hensley, we had another officer resign,” Chrissy Lee told aldermen March 3 discussing the interlocal agreement with the Bell County Sheriff’s Department  in which off-duty deputies provide patrol services to Salado at a cost of $35 per hour. The Village pays those officers directly according to the agreement. The officers use the Sheriff’s Department vehicles, for which the Village pays Bell County $10 per hour.

“If they used our vehicles, we would be totally liable for anything that happened,” Mayor Blancett said.

The fees for the officers and cars are within the Village budget, according to Lee.

Michael McDougal gave the motion which received a second from Coachman to approve the agreement for providing law enforcement services.

The Chief of Police position was posted online at the Texas Municipal League job site on March 2.

According to the posting, the job entails: “Direct, manage, plans and oversee the operations and activities of the Police Department, including field operations, investigations, support services, and general administration. Coordinate assigned activities with other Village departments and outside agencies. Exercise direct supervision over management, professional, and other assigned staff.”

The job remains open until filled.

According to a March 5 blog post by Mayor Skip Blancett, “Tuesday night, 4 officers will be interviewed for 3 positions.”

It is not clear who will conduct the interviews. The Village website, saladotx.gov, has no posting of an aldermen meeting for March 7.