Geary Police chief, officers resign on same day. What's next for the small town?
The small town of Geary lost its police chief and all of its police officers Thursday morning, after the chief announced her and the officers resignations.
According to a statement from the city's public information officer, Terryl Allen, the city has an interim police chief and will receive assistance from both the Blaine County Sheriff's Office and the Canadian County Sheriff's Office. The interim police chief is JJ Stitt, a distant cousin of Gov. Kevin Stitt and an Oklahoma and Texas peace officer, according to a Facebook comment from the police department.
The Oklahoman made a call to Geary City Hall and was told Allen would not be working today, and that no one at city hall had a comment on the situation. The Oklahoman was told by the police department that Stitt would return the request for comment.
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According to the city's Facebook page, 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 the 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."
Why did the Geary Police Department resign?
Alicia Ford, the city's former police chief, said in a statement Thursday resigning from their posts was a difficult choice for her and the other officers to make. But, she said, it was the right choice.
"I have watched the officers serve this community selflessly, working hard to protect and provide the best quality of service possible," Ford said in the statement. "They have been an amazing team that was always willing to sacrifice for this community."
While Ford doesn't say why the resignations took place, she went on to encourage residents to "get to know your council members" and be involved in the city government and attend city council meetings.
"Your voices are stronger when you stand together as one, and you all have the ability to affect the change you want to see in your community," Ford said. "It has been my honor to serve Geary, and I will forever cherish the people of this community."
The announcement left the community in confusion, with dozens of comments expressing questions about why the officers would resign and what it might have to do with the city council.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Entire Geary Oklahoma police force resigns, leaving community confused
