VALENTINE, Neb. - The Valentine City Council has approved a one-time waiver to the city’s personnel policy, allowing a police supervisor to work with a relative within the department.

Police Chief Jamon Slama brought the request to the council, noting that the city’s current policy prohibits a supervisor from working in the same department as a family member. Slama said he hopes to promote longtime officer Brandon Ormesher to police lieutenant, while Ormesher’s sister is expected to join the department after graduating from the police academy in August.

“My plan is to keep them separated on the schedule, so they’re not interacting,” said Slama. “Any discipline, any assignments come from me as chief.”

Some council members raised concerns about the precedent the exception could set and what might happen in the chief’s absence. But others said that given current staffing challenges, filling the lieutenant position internally is the best option.

“I don’t think I can advertise and fill it from outside of the department I have,” said Slama.

The department was on track to be fully staffed in August with two recruits set to complete academy training. However, Officer Jasmine Hoefs has submitted her resignation, citing health concerns related to an on-duty injury. Her last day is expected to be at the end of July.