The police chief of a Dickinson County community who is facing criminal charges as part of a Kansas Bureau of Investigation case is resigning.

Herington City Manager Brandon Dross tells KSAL News Herington Police Chief John V. Matula is resigning his position, effective Friday.

On Wednesday the 36-year-old Matula  was ordered to appear in Dickinson County District Court for alleged criminal damage to property and criminal trespass. Also ordered to appear in Dickinson County District Court was 43-year-old Curtis M. Tyra, the Herington Assistant Chief, for alleged criminal trespass.

The suspected crimes are misdemeanors, and are believed to have occurred on May 18, 2021 related to Matula and Tyra forcing entry into a residence without a search warrant.

In the interim, Sgt. Chad Lanley has been in charge of the agency.

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ORIGINAL: The Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief of the Herington Police Department were served summonses following an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

According to the KBI, on Wednesday 36-year-old John V. Matula, the Herington Police Chief, was ordered to appear in Dickinson County District Court for alleged criminal damage to property and criminal trespass.

Also ordered to appear in Dickinson County District Court was 43-year-old Curtis M. Tyra, the Herington Assistant Chief, for alleged criminal trespass.

The investigation is ongoing.