Entire Police Department Of Small Town Resigns

The entire police department of a small town in Oklahoma resigned, leaving residents angry and frustrated.

In addition to resignations from the police chief and three officers who make up the entire police department for Geary, Oklahoma, two city council members also resigned.

According to ABC News, former Police Chief Alicia Ford did not specify the reasons for the sudden resignations.

“It is with great sadness that I and the rest of the Geary police officers will no longer be serving this community,” Ford wrote, according to the outlet.

Ford said it was the “right decision” for her and the other officers.

Residents up in arms as entire police department of small Oklahoma town suddenly resigns: ‘Danger to the citizens’ https://t.co/VQKCUsAk27 pic.twitter.com/kLPMbtcMH8

— New York Post (@nypost) November 3, 2024

Per ABC News:

Ford, without elaboration, encouraged residents of the town of nearly 1,000 about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Oklahoma City to become acquainted with the city council “and to be as involved as possible in the city, especially attending the city council meetings.”

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Ford did not immediately return a phone message for comment on Saturday.

A woman who answered a phone call to a number listed for Mayor Waylan Upchego on Saturday said “not at this time” when a reporter asked to speak with Upchego about the resignations.

The city, in a statement, thanked the former chief and officers while wishing them well and said an interim police chief has been chosen and that the Blaine County and Canadian County sheriffs’ offices will assist in patrolling the town.

“We would like to let our citizens know we are conducting business as usual,” according to the statement. “If you have an emergency, please contact 911 like you normally would and an officer will be dispatched to assist you.”

Oklahoma small town police chief and entire police department resign with little explanation. https://t.co/4DunJpVFqP

— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 2, 2024

After the resignations of city council members Glen “Rocky” Coleman Jr. and Kristy Miller, the town’s four-person council is down to one.

From the New York Post:

“We don’t have much of a city anymore,” resident Sonja Luquette told local Oklahoma City TV-station KOCO-TV.

“I’m not happy by any means. A city without its police force is a danger to the citizens of the town,” an anonymous resident told Fox affiliate KOKH-TV.

“When I tell you there’s misconduct and corruption going on in the town of Geary, that is exactly what’s happening,” the person added.

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“It’s really sad that it’s come to this.”

The mass resignations were announced in a social media post by former police chief Alicia Ford, who didn’t provide a reason.

“My ethical values were questioned at every turn and my family values were placed into jeopardy by the rumors started at the city office,” Ford said, according to KOKH FOX 25 reporter David Chasanov.

NEW: Former Geary police chief Alicia Ford shares her resignation letter with @OKCFOX.

“My ethical values were questioned at every turn and my family values were placed into jeopardy by the rumors started at the city office,” Ford said in part. @AdamKing_News @wsuares pic.twitter.com/EJwaChfgSQ

— David Chasanov (@DavidChasanov) November 1, 2024

A closer look: