Spirit Lake police chief resigns

Pat Lawless has resigned as Spirit Lake's police chief for personal reasons, Mayor Todd Clary said.

Clary said three police department employees, including Lawless, had a conversation that was "not appropriate for the workplace" and the other two have been disciplined. No one was fired. Clary declined to comment further, citing personnel reasons.

Clary said no criminal activity has been found against Lawless.

Lawless, who has been Spirit Lake's chief for about three years and with the department for about six, could not be reached for comment this afternoon.