The police chief and three officers of the town of Geary, Oklahoma, along with two city council members, have all resigned without providing specific reasons. Former Police Chief Alicia Ford expressed sadness over the decision but did not elaborate on the reasons for the resignations. She encouraged residents to become involved in city council meetings and did not comment further when contacted for more information. An interim police chief has been appointed, and the Blaine County and Canadian County sheriffs’ offices will assist in patrolling the town. The city assured residents that emergency services will continue as usual despite the resignations.
City Council members Glen “Rocky” Coleman Jr. and Kristy Miller also announced their resignations, leaving the council with just one member. Coleman cited a lack of communication between the administration and council as a reason for his resignation, without providing further details. The city did not reveal the identity of the interim chief, but JJ Stitt, a 27-year law enforcement veteran, claimed to be the interim chief. Stitt expressed his intention to add officers to the department in the coming days and assured that he has the ability to call on experienced officers to help out as needed.
The resignations in Geary, Oklahoma, come more than a year after the entire police department of Goodhue, Minnesota, resigned due to low pay. The reasons for the recent resignations in Geary remain unclear, but discrepancies in values and communication issues have been alluded to by the resigning council members. Mayor Waylan Upchego did not provide further information on the resignations when contacted by reporters. The city expressed gratitude to the former chief and officers while assuring residents that emergency services will continue uninterrupted.
The sudden resignations have left the town with a depleted police force and a sparsely populated city council. The interim chief, JJ Stitt, has expressed his desire to add officers to the department and is confident in his ability to call on additional resources as needed. The city has emphasized that business will continue as usual, and residents are encouraged to attend city council meetings to stay informed and involved in local governance. The community is left to contemplate the reasons behind the resignations and look towards the future under new leadership in the police department and city council.
