Former officers bring police department under fire

A Joplin television station reported yesterday and today that two police officers recently fired by the city of Nevada spoke out in an exclusive interview with Channel 7 about alleged concerns the officers had relating to the city's communication department -- concerns that allegedly led to their being fired. A tape recorded statement made to police officers by Nevada Police Chief Christine Keim was played on the newscast, but the Daily Mail's attempt to obtain a transcript of the news report or the taped words was denied by the television station.

The two officers, Aaron Kent and D.W. Osborne, could not be reached for comment.

The police department referred requests for information about the matter to Human Resources Director Whitney Davis, who was in a staff meeting this morning when the Daily Mail attempted to contact her and had not returned phone calls as of press time today.