The town of Geary, Oklahoma, recently experienced a shakeup when the police chief and three officers resigned, along with two city council members. Former Police Chief Alicia Ford did not provide specific reasons for the resignations but expressed that it was a difficult decision. She encouraged residents to become more involved in the city council meetings following their departures. The town, with nearly 1,000 residents located 50 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, will have an interim police chief appointed, with assistance from neighboring sheriffs’ offices to maintain law enforcement services.
In response to the resignations, the town of Geary released a statement thanking the former chief and officers for their service while wishing them well. An interim police chief was chosen, and arrangements were made for the Blaine County and Canadian County sheriffs’ offices to assist with patrolling the town. Despite the sudden departures, the city assured residents that emergency services would continue uninterrupted and urged them to report incidents as usual. With a reduced city council due to the recent resignations, the remaining member will have to navigate city affairs with limited representation.
City Council members Glen “Rocky” Coleman Jr. and Kristy Miller also announced their resignations, citing differences in values and communication issues with the city’s leadership. Coleman specifically mentioned that council members were often left out of important decision-making processes until the last minute. The lack of transparency led to frustration among council members, prompting their decisions to resign from their positions. The city did not offer additional information on the resignations of the council members but highlighted that efforts were being made to address the staffing shortages within the police department.
The interim police chief, JJ Stitt, who described himself as a seasoned law enforcement veteran with 27 years of experience, was appointed to oversee the police department following the resignations. Stitt expressed his intention to expand the police force by recruiting additional officers in the near future. Despite not providing further details, Stitt emphasized his ability to call upon experienced officers to provide assistance to the town of Geary. As a distant cousin of Governor Kevin Stitt, Stitt brings a wealth of experience to his role as interim chief and aims to strengthen law enforcement services in the community.
The resignations in Geary, Oklahoma, are reminiscent of a similar incident that occurred in the small town of Goodhue, Minnesota, where the entire police department resigned over low pay. The geographical disparities and financial constraints faced by small towns often lead to difficulties in recruiting and retaining law enforcement personnel. While the specific reasons for the resignations in Geary were not disclosed, ongoing challenges related to funding, communication, and staffing shortages can contribute to such decisions. The town’s leadership will need to address these underlying issues to ensure the effective functioning of law enforcement services and municipal operations. The recent turnover in Geary highlights the need for transparent and collaborative governance to address the concerns of both employees and community members.
