The Magnolia Police Department will be searching for two new officers after two have been allegedly released from duty. Reasons why Jorge Anez and Greg Valdez are no longer with the department have yet to be revealed.

Mayor Todd Kana confirmed that Anez and Valdez were no longer with the department, but he added that he did not know the details.

“I don’t know if it was a resignation or termination, but I haven’t seen any resignation documents,” he said.

Police Chief Domingo Ibarra said more information would be released once a city council meeting was held. The Magnolia City Council will meet Tuesday, June 14. However, Ibarra noted that the unemployment of the two officers was not related to any budget issues concerning the city.

The city has budgeted for the police department to have nine salaried officers. There are now seven salaried officers, which includes Ibarra. The department previously had nine officers including Ibarra and four reserve officers.

Ibarra said that even though the department is down two police officers, the city will still have coverage. Supervisors or officers of a higher rank will have longer shifts to fill in the gaps, he added.

“Basically supervisors have to fill in the gaps,” he said.

Ibarra said he has already posted the two vacant positions online and will begin accepting applications.

At the city council meeting held on May 17, a proposal to hire one additional officer was on the agenda. The item was tabled by council. Ibarra said that the unemployment of Anez and Valdez and the department seeking an additional officer were unrelated.

“We are looking for two (officers) for sure,” he added.

If the city votes to hire an additional officer, Ibarra said the city would do so after looking at the budget.

“We would look at how to be responsible with the limited resources that we have,” Ibarra said.

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