Royal City weighs options for new police chief

ROYAL CITY — Royal City officials aren’t sure how they’re going to replace retiring Royal City Police Chief Darin Smith.

Mayor Kent Anderson said Thursday officials were working with the city’s attorney to look at their options.

Smith recently announced his retirement. He has been on medical leave for about a year, and Rey Rodriguez has been acting as interim chief.

The Royal City Police Department will have three officers when a new chief is hired, Anderson said. City officials are considering hiring a fourth officer to work as a school resource officer when schools are back in session full time, he said.