10:36 PM CDT on Wednesday, May 3, 2006

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(KMOV) – A 2002 investigation called new Overland Mayor Ann Purzner an imposter.

Tuesday Purzner installed former Frontenac Police Chief Ben Branch as Overland's new chief.

City council opponents and Overland's veteran Police Chief, Jim Herron, say the move is illegal without council approval.

A 2002 Missouri nursing board investigation found Purzner, a medical assistant, had used a fake nursing degree, lied about being a registered nurse, and lied about attending Maryville University.

Purzner, 67, in an interview with the Post Dispatch Tuesday, still claimed to have been a nurse for 30 years.

The Overland mayor has suspended the city’s police chief and last night the Mayor changed the locks on Chief Herron’s office.

KMOV

Overland Police Chief Jim Herron

Mayor Purzner suspended Chief Herron for gross insubordination and for disrespectful comments he made about her. He was also suspended for a no confidence vote a few years ago and refused to escort city officials out of a recent city council meeting after she directed him to do so.

The controversy started when Mayor Ann Purzner asked police chief Jim Herron to leave his post last week.

Herron refused to leave his office.

Mayor Ann Purzner appointed Ben Branch, outgoing Frontenac police chief, as the new police chief. 

Branch told chief Herron that he was sworn in and that wanted to assume command.

Jim Herron has been Overland police chief for eight years.

KMOV

Overland mayor Ann Purzner

Protestors demonstrated at city hall this afternoon for the way they feel the mayor is conducting business and the decision she made without city council's approval.

The suspension will last for 60 days and then there will be a hearing.

The Mayor was unavailable for comment.

This case is being reviewed by the Missouri Attorney General and the county prosecutor.