Georgia mayor dissolves police dept after officers’ Facebook posts
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The mayor of a small town in Georgia fired his entire county police department on Wednesday following allegations that the officer made “inappropriate comments” about his wife on Facebook, leaving the town without its own police department.
Cohutta Mayor Ron Shinnick recently closed the Cohutta Police Department and laid off all 10 employees, according to a report from WDEF.
As of Wednesday morning, a sign was posted on the department’s door that read, “PD has been terminated and all staff members have been terminated.”
It is unknown whether employees were notified before the sign was posted or when officers arrived for work that morning.
FORMER CHIEF: THE ENTIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT RESIGNED AFTER THE CITY’S ‘FAILURE’ TO MEET THE REPELLENT NEEDS: FORMER CHIEF
The town’s entire police force was fired a week after officers and the mayor allegedly resolved their problems through ‘open dialogue and good-faith mediation’. (WZTV / Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
The move effectively disbanded the town’s entire law enforcement operation and raised questions about leadership, potential retaliation and public safety in the community of about 1,000 people.
When asked about the decision, Shinnick said, “They’re going to get a salary. We’re not like that, and I appreciate their service, okay? It’s time for a change.”
The dispute appears to stem from last month, when officers filed a formal complaint against former town clerk Pat Shinnick, the mayor’s wife.
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Once the entire Cohutta Police Department is fired, the neighboring town’s police force will step in. (Getty Images)
Pat Shinnick was fired from his position for allegedly creating a “hostile work environment.” Despite being fired, he was still working and continued to have access to the personal information of the town’s 1,000 residents, according to the officers’ complaints.
Following the complaints, Shinnick, Police Chief Greg Fowler and town prosecutor Brian Rayburn said at the press conference that the situation was resolved using “open dialogue and good faith mediation.”
A week later the entire department was disbanded.
THE ENTIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS RESIGNED, LEAVING THE SOUTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF PROTECTIVE FORCES
The town scheduled an emergency meeting Friday after the police department was fired. (Getty Images)
“This is all due to the mayor’s personal revenge, and I believe that with all my heart,” said former Sgt. Jeremy May told WRCB-TV. “We took a stand for transparency and as a result they all lost their jobs.”
While the town currently operates without a police department, the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office said its deputies will assume law enforcement duties.
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A town meeting is planned for Friday, May 8th, which will include topics such as reinstating the police department and demanding Mayor Shinnick’s immediate resignation.
Shinnick and the town’s attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
