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The mayor of a small Georgia town fired the area's entire police department Wednesday after officers made “inappropriate comments” about his wife on Facebook, leaving the town without its own police force.
Cohutta Mayor Ron Shinnick recently closed the Cohutta Police Department, laying off all 10 employees, according to a WDEF report.
As of Wednesday morning, a sign was posted on the door saying, “The PD has been disbanded, and all personnel have been terminated.”
It is not known if the workers were notified before the sign was put up or when the police arrived at work that morning.
ENTIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT LEAVES AFTER CITY 'FAILURE' TO MEET RECRUITMENT REQUIREMENTS: FORMER CHIEF.
All of the city's police officers were fired one week after the police and the mayor allegedly resolved their issues through 'open discussion and honest mediation.' (WZTV/Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
The move effectively dismantled the city's entire law enforcement operation, raising questions about leadership, possible retaliation and public safety in the nearly 1,000-strong community.
“They're going to get paid. We're not, and I appreciate their service, okay? It's time for a change,” Shinnick said when asked about the decision.
The dispute appears to date back to last month, when police filed complaints against former city clerk Pat Shinnick, the mayor's wife.
Kentucky School Resigns After Allegedly Called For 'Republicans To Be Shot' In Public Forum.
Police from a neighboring town will step in when the entire Cohutta Police Department is fired. (Getty Images)
Pat Shinnick was fired from his position for allegedly creating a “hostile work environment.” According to the complaints of these police officers, even though he was fired, he was still working and continues to obtain the personal information of 1,000 citizens of this city.
After the complaints, Shinnick, Police Chief Greg Fowler and city attorney Brian Rayburn said during a press conference that the situation was resolved using “open discussion and honest negotiation.”
A week later, the entire department was dismantled.
EVERY POLICE DEPARTMENT LEAVES THE COMMUNITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA WITHOUT A LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE.
After the police department was fired, the city has scheduled an emergency meeting on Friday. (Getty Images)
“This all comes down to personal accountability from the mayor, and I wholeheartedly believe that,” former Sgt. Jeremy May told WRCB-TV. “We took a step to be transparent, which resulted in everyone losing their jobs.”
While the town is currently operating without a police department, the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office said its deputies will take over law enforcement duties.
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A town meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 8, with topics including the restoration of the police department and a call for Mayor Shinnick's immediate resignation.
Shinnick and the city attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
