A special meeting of the Kimball City Council has been scheduled for May 24th at 4:30 pm. Along with business related to the Board of Public Works, the council will also vote on Jose Ruiz to become the cities next police chief.

Mayor John Morrison has selected Ruiz, one of two finalists after a series of interviews that included longtime Kimball Sargent and Interim Police Chief Dwain Murdoch.

Ruiz is currently on the police force in Imperial, Nebraska but prior to that spent two years as a corporal with the Kimball Police Department. He has spent most of his career with the Cheyenne, Wyoming police department having spent 14 years as an officer and field training officer on that police force. Ruiz grew up in Denver, Colorado.

Ruiz would take the helm of the Kimball Police Department while it is under investigation from the Nebraska State Patrol for LB 51 violations and other possible problems within the department.  LB 51 is a law that dictates how law enforcement agencies may utilize trainees and non-certified officers. An affidavit released in late April alleges that at least four trainees were given the responsibilities of full fledged officers while employed by the Kimball Police Department.

There are several remaining openings at the police department as they aim to fill out a five to seven person roster this summer.

Two officers have already been hired this month, a third failed to receive a second to send his employment to a vote of the city council.

This is a developing story. Stay with News Channel Nebraska for updates.