A Georgia police department was dissolved Wednesday following recent tensions between its officers and the town's mayor.
A sign on the door of the Cohutta Police Department stated that the department "had been dissolved and all personnel have been terminated," WTVC-TV reports. Mayor Ron Shinnick told WRCB-TV that he had fired all the department's officers.
Chief Greg Fowler was informed of the department's closing Wednesday morning, he told WRCB. The chief, who also was terminated, was spending the day contacting officers and clearing out police headquarters.
The department's dissolution comes after recent public clashes between Shinnick and several officers. The conflict stemmed over former town clerk Shinnick, who also is Shinnick's wife, continuing to have access to sensitive information, despite her being terminated by the town for allegedly creating a hostile work environment.
Several officers had signed an open letter expressing their concerns over Pam Shinnick's continued access. They also claimed there had been paycheck delays.
Last week, Mayor Shinnick, Fowler and the complaining officers held press conference to announce that the issue had been resolved, but no details were given as to how. The officers rescinded their open letter, and the town's attorney told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that no officers would be fired.
Cohutta has population of 800. The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office will handle law enforcement coverage for the town now that the department is shut down. It's unclear if the town will reopen the department with new personnel at a later date.
