Lausanne (TSR, Fre) - The region around Lausanne has been watching for some months as tensions between the head of the gendarmerie and the police chief appeared to increase, but Wednesday night the cantonal council put an end to the feud, announcing that both are leaving their posts, effective immediately.

The drastic solution comes after weeks of meetings that followed several years of difficult relations between the two. Eric Lehmann, age 61 and in his post since 2002, has headed the cantonal police. He is taking early retirement. Gendarmerie chief Alain Bergonzolearly has been reassigned to direct the cantonal police academy.

Cantonal councilor Jacqueline de Quattro, who is responsible for security and the environment, said Wednesday evening that while neither man could be accused of professional faults, the situation had reached a point of no return.

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