Police department no stranger to turnover
For the past two years, the City of Florence has struggled with maintaining a police department.
— Aug. 5, 2002. Police chief Howard Kahler resigns.
— Aug. 19, 2002. Creighton Smith sworn in as new police chief. Force consists of part-time officers James Parmley and Duane McCarty.
— September 2002. Ken Hoffman hired as part-time officer. Parmley resigns.
— November 2002. McCarty fired.
— January 2003. Parmley returns as part-time officer.
— Feb. 17, 2003. Smith suspended by Mayor Jeannie Meirowsky. Parmley appointed interim police chief by Meirowsky.
— April 2003. Meirowsky loses bid for re-election. John Lehman becomes mayor. No replacement has been hired for Smith. Ken Hoffman and James Parmley serve the community as part-time officers.
— May 2003. Hoffman urges city council to advertise for part-time police chief.
— Hoffman resigns.
— July 9, 2003. City council re-hires Duane McCarty as part-time police officer. Council discusses police chief's job description and agrees to interview six candidates for the position.
— July 21, 2003. Council votes to hire Timothy Wolfe of Argonia, pending completion of a background check.
— Aug. 6, 2003. Council rescinds decision to hire Wolfe based on the completed background check. Council suspends McCarty permanently.
— Sept. 15, 2003. Council agrees to advertise for full-time police chief.
— Oct. 6, 2003. Council votes to hire Merlin Stout, although he did not have KLETC certification.
— December 2003. Officer James Parmley confronts city council about coverage for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
— Dec. 17, 2003. City council votes to terminate James Parmley as part-time police officer. Stout is only officer remaining on city police force. Marion County Sheriff's office becomes responsible for covering Florence when Stout is off duty.
— Feb. 13, 2004. Stout arrested and charged with two counts sexual battery. Released from Marion County Jail on $1,500-bond. Mayor Lehman later suspends Stout pending action of Florence City Council.
— Feb. 16, 2004. Florence City Council votes to suspend Stout with pay through Saturday; then without pay until the March 12 city council meeting, unless a special meeting is called before that date.
— March 3, 2004. Stout's preliminary hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. in Marion County District Court.
