The police chief and three officers that make up the entire four-person police department of the town of Geary, Oklahoma, and two of the town’s city council members have resigned with little explanation.
Former Police Chief Alicia Ford did not address the specific reasons for the Thursday resignations, but wrote in a social media post that the decision was difficult.
City Council members Glen “Rocky” Coleman Jr. and Kristy Miller also announced their resignations, leaving the four-person council with just one member due to a previous vacancy.
He said he has “the ability” to pick up the phone and get experienced officers over to the town to help out.
The resignations come more than a year after the entire police department of the small town of Goodhue, Minnesota, resigned over low pay.
In Geary, Oklahoma, two members of the city council, along with the police chief and three other officers who comprise the entire four-person police department, have resigned with little explanation.
In a social media post, former police chief Alicia Ford stated that the decision was tough but did not elaborate on the reasons behind the resignations on Thursday.
Although Ford wrote, “It is with great sadness that I and the rest of the Geary police officers will no longer be serving this community,” the choice was the right one for the officers. “.
Without providing further details, Ford urged the people of the town, which is approximately 1,000 people and located 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Oklahoma City, to get to know the city council and “be as involved as possible in the city, especially attending the city council meetings.”. “,”.
A call for comment on Saturday was not immediately answered by Ford.
When a reporter called a number for Mayor Waylan Upchego on Saturday, a woman who answered said “not at this time” when the reporter asked if she could talk to Upchego about the resignations.
An interim police chief has been selected, the city said in a statement, and the sheriff’s offices of Blaine County and Canadian County will help patrol the town. The city also thanked the former chief and officers and wished them well.
“We want to inform our citizens that we are going about our business as normal,” the statement said. “In the event of an emergency, dial 911 as usual, and a representative will be sent to help you. “.”.
Members of the City Council: Glen “Rocky” Coleman Jr. Additionally, Kristy Miller and others announced their resignations, leaving the four-member council with just one member remaining because of a prior vacancy.
Coleman claimed on social media that communication between the council and administration “has been significantly lacking,” and that his values do not align with the city’s direction, but he provided no additional justification.
Coleman stated that council members are typically the last to learn about something. There are frequently occasions when I am unaware of an upcoming meeting until it begins. “,”.
A phone number was provided for her, but Miller did not pick it up right away.
The interim chief, JJ Stitt, was not named by the city, but he identified himself as a distant cousin of Governor, a 27-year veteran of law enforcement, a county deputy, and a member of a task force looking into online crimes against children. Kevin Stitt, who is the acting chief, told The Oklahoman.
Although Stitt did not answer a phone that was provided for him, he told the newspaper that he hoped to add more officers in the days ahead. He asserted that he possesses “the ability” to call and dispatch seasoned law enforcement officials to assist the town.
“I’ve been in the game a long time,” Stitt stated.
The resignations follow the resignation of the entire police force in the small Minnesota town of Goodhue due to low pay more than a year ago.
