SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — A judge has given a western Nebraska police chief 30 days to file a brief appealing his monthlong jail sentence.

The judge issued the 30-day timeline Friday during a brief hearing in the case of Sidney Police Chief B.J. Wilkinson.

Wilkinson pleaded no contest and was convicted last month of obstructing government operations.

The charge stems from what state prosecutors say was Wilkinson’s failure to pursue criminal charges against city Public Works Director John Hehnke, after Hehnke’s ex-girlfriend filed a complaint in January 2014 against Hehnke.

Concerns about Wilkinson’s decision not to seek charges against Hehnke were brought to the attention of the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. Earlier this year Hehnke was charged with two misdemeanors.