Getting press releases and other information about crimes and incidents from the Clarinda Police Department has come to an end. In a note to the media and public this (Tuesday) morning, Chief Keith Brothers said “Effective today (March 3, 2015) at 3:00 p.m., the records office at the Clarinda Police Department will close and cease normal operations until further notice and will not be staffed by an administrative assistant/records clerk to the police chief.”

Brothers said also “The department has had an administrative assistant/records clerk to the police chief since November of 1976, either in a full time or part time capacity and this position has served the police chief and the department well. The department’s ability to maintain accurate records and disseminate reports, etc. in a timely manner will most certainly be negatively affected.”

The chief said he accepts “Total responsibility and accountability for the problems that will result as I have been forewarned of in my recent consultations with the Iowa Police Chief’s Association concerning
administrative assistant/records clerks and their importance to departments of our size and population served.”