A southeastern South Dakota community is questioning city leaders after the police chief was suspended. But the mayor of Centerville tells KELOLAND News the suspension is because the chief of police violated city employee rules.

With a population less than 1,000 people, Centerville is not exactly the center of criminal activity. But now questions are brewing about the suspension of the town's police chief. Rachel Kopmen was suspended by a unanimous vote of the city council in late September. Because it's a personnel matter, the town's mayor can't say exactly what the police chief allegedly did, but he says it violates a specific section of Centerville city employee guidelines.

"That has to do with sections of offensive conduct and language being used in public, failing to follow good safety practices on the job, refusing to perform job assignments, failing to follow orders of supervisors and displaying conduct unbecoming of a municipal employee," Jay Ostrem said.

Kopman denies the allegations and has hired an attorney. She has decided not to talk publicly about her suspension.

Ostrem says accusations that the suspension is part of a plot to end the city's police department aren't true.

"That is far from the truth. I work for the Turner County Sheriff's Office. In the advent that we did eliminate the police department and did contract, that would be a conflict of interest and I would have to resign as mayor," Ostrem said.

Kopman will remain suspended until at least October 19. That's when the city council is again scheduled to talk about the issue.

And the mayor is hoping the upcoming meeting will settle the issue.

"I'm hoping that the situation gets resolved and that we'll all be able to move on,” Ostrem said.

Another Turner County community is having a special city council meeting Thursday evening to discuss their police force.

Viborg city leaders want to talk with the county sheriff about what Viborg's one officer is expected to do during his 40 hour work week.