Enough is enough for the police department of Green Mountain Falls in Colorado, as the entire squad decided to quit after a new mayor got elected and took over the town.
The four-man team of deputies led by police marshal Tim Bradley reportedly opted to forego their responsibilities “over policy” and “unhappiness” with Mayor Jane Newberry, according to a report from the Washington Post.
Citizens were informed of the mass walkout at a town hall meeting, but further details behind the sudden departures remained undisclosed.
“Our marshal and three deputies quit, and that’s about all they said,” the report quoted town resident Ann Pinnell as saying. “We’ve had our hometown marshal for many, many years, so I sure hope we get another marshal in our town.”
Other residents added that the lights were out in the police station, while patrol cars remained empty, parked and covered with snow from a recent storm.
Meanwhile, Newberry, who was sworn in five days after the resignations, downplayed the suggestion that her election was directly to blame.
“In an election year there’s always some people who choose to stay and some people who choose to go and I think that happens at every level of government,” said the recently appointed chieftain.
“Just because there aren’t currently police working for the city doesn’t mean there aren’t law enforcement officers protecting the town, or others who residents can call for help in Green Mountain Falls,” she added.
The mayor also claimed that she just recently learned of the pending resignations when she attended an emergency meeting and executive session a few days ago.
Meantime, the small town of Green Mountain Falls has a recorded population of 700 residents. However, the number grows to 1,200 in the summer months.
The El Paso and Teller County sheriff’s office have both agreed to help out with enforcing the law in the area, until the incident is sorted out. Khristian Ibarrola, INQUIRER.net