FOLEY (AP) — The state Peace Officers Standards Training Board has blocked a plan by Foley leaders to have the city patrolled by a private security company.

The city announced Wednesday that the POST board took the action on the advice of the Minnesota attorney general's office.

According to the city, the action will delay the beginning of 24-hour patrols by the security company.

The Foley City Council voted to approve the security services contract in late November as a cost-saving measure. The six-month contract was expected to begin Jan. 1.

Foley had been contracting with Benton County since disbanding its own police department in 2003.

In a statement, Mayor Gary Gruba says the city believes the security officers can perform all of the functions as promised.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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