WORTHING, S.D. (AP) — The city of Worthing has lost its third police chief in less than a year.

The Argus Leader reports that the City Council voted Monday to fire Matthew Hess, a former Watertown Police Department officer who was hired in September.

Mayor Eric Saugstad would not discuss the reason for the termination, saying only that the matter is a personnel issue.

Before Hess, Worthing had hired Brion Kimball, who resigned in May and is now the police chief in Centerville.

The city fired longtime chief Roger Knutson in December.

The council has not moved toward hiring a new chief. The town of about 900 people has three part-time police officers.

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