Current:Home > ScamsAfter entire police force resigns in small Oklahoma town, chief blames leaders, budget cuts -TradeWisdom
After entire police force resigns in small Oklahoma town, chief blames leaders, budget cuts
View
Date:2025-04-16 22:25:01
After city officials announced that all members of a small Oklahoma police force resigned, the former chief has spoken out, attributing the move to a lack of support from public leadership.
Alicia Ford, former police chief of the small town of Geary, told Fox News that she and the remaining officers resigned because of the mayor's "continued failure to make change that would affect the department and make it more effective for the community."
The police officers announced their resignation on Oct. 31. Two city council members also announced plans to step down, and Mayor Waylan Upchego followed suit days later, according to the Watonga Republican.
Ford told Fox News the department's difficult relationship with the former mayor was "an ongoing issue."
"He consistently refused to keep his word to us, and that was something that we held him to," Ford continued to the outlet. "When you're a mayor, you're [supposed] to lead the city and what's best for the city and the departments within."
Geary is a small city with an estimated population of 994, according to 2020 US Census data.
News:Bo the police K-9, who located child taken at knifepoint, wins Hero Dog Awards 2024
City hired an interim police chief
In October, Terryl Allen, Geary's public information officer, said the department has an interim police chief and will receive assistance from both the Blaine County Sheriff's Office and the Canadian County Sheriff's Office, according to The Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Per a Facebook comment from the police department, the interim police chief is JJ Stitt, a distant cousin of Gov. Kevin Stitt and an Oklahoma and Texas peace officer.
The police department employed four patrol officers in addition to the chief of police.
"We would like to let our citizens know we are conducting business as usual," Allen said in an Oct. 31 statement. "If you have an emergency, please contact 911 like you normally would, and an officer will be dispatched to assist you. We would also like to offer our thanks and appreciation to our former Chief of Police and Officers for their service to our community and wish them all the best of luck."
USA TODAY reached out to the city of Geary for comment.
Ford said budget cuts, overworked officers played a role in the decision
Ford, who started her role in late 2023, told Fox News that several factors contributed to their decision, including understaffing, funding cuts, and fatigued officers who worked lengthy shifts that were "basically 24 hours...five to seven days a week."
"They cut the jail. They cut our dispatch, and that put strain on us. But we found we went to another agency, and they have done excellent and accommodating us with that dispatch," Ford explained during her interview with Fox News.
She added that the mayor "consistently refused to keep his word when it came to basic needs of equipment and the safety issues within our department. We talked about the budget cuts that caused hardships for these officers and myself that were unnecessary."
According to Fox, Ford expressed concerns to city leaders and gave them a month to rectify them before they left. She is now with the Blaine County Sheriff's Office.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].
veryGood! (9)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- It's Red Cup Day at Starbucks: Here's how to get your holiday cup and cash in on deals
- Pete Alonso's best free agent fits: Will Mets bring back Polar Bear?
- Texas man accused of supporting ISIS charged in federal court
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Martin Scorsese on the saints, faith in filmmaking and what his next movie might be
- What is best start in NBA history? Five teams ahead of Cavaliers' 13-0 record
- AI could help scale humanitarian responses. But it could also have big downsides
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Opinion: NFL began season with no Black offensive coordinators, first time since the 1980s
Ranking
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Wisconsin agency issues first round of permits for Enbridge Line 5 reroute around reservation
- Conviction and 7-year sentence for Alex Murdaugh’s banker overturned in appeal of juror’s dismissal
- She's a trans actress and 'a warrior.' Now, this 'Emilia Pérez' star could make history.
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Kyle Richards Swears This Holiday Candle Is the Best Scent Ever and She Uses It All Year
- KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'original recipe' fried chicken branding
- Food prices worried most voters, but Trump’s plans likely won’t lower their grocery bills
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Watch out, Temu: Amazon Haul, Amazon's new discount store, is coming for the holidays
Eva Longoria Shares She and Her Family Have Moved Out of the United States
'Red One' review: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans embark on a joyless search for Santa
'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
UFC 309: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight card, odds, how to watch, date
College football Week 12 expert picks for every Top 25 game include SEC showdowns
Judge hears case over Montana rule blocking trans residents from changing sex on birth certificate