The Geary Police Department in Oklahoma faced a major setback as Chief Alicia Ford and her entire department resigned on October 31. This mass resignation was followed by the resignations of City Council members Rocky Coleman and Kristy Miller, and subsequently, Mayor Waylan Upchego also stepped down.
Chief Ford cited a lack of support from the city's leadership as the primary reason for the resignations. She had repeatedly approached Mayor Upchego and the City Council seeking assistance to address the department's overworked and understaffed conditions, as well as budget cuts affecting officer pay and bonuses. Despite their pleas, no action was taken to alleviate the department's challenges.
The department, which had already been grappling with staffing shortages and budget constraints, saw its workforce dwindle from six to four officers. This led to officers working long shifts, with some even pulling 24-hour shifts for minimal pay.
Chief Ford gave the city leaders a month's notice to address the department's concerns and offered a timeline for necessary changes. When no progress was made, the resignations followed as promised.
Following her resignation, Chief Ford has taken up a position as an investigator with the Blaine County Sheriff's Office, which stepped in to assist the Geary Police Department with dispatch needs after the budget cuts.
City Council member Coleman, in his resignation letter, expressed his departure was due to a misalignment of core values with the city's direction. He emphasized the importance of transparency and proactive decision-making for the benefit of the community.
An interim chief has been appointed to lead the Geary PD, ensuring that residents can still access emergency services through 911 calls. The city now faces the challenge of rebuilding its leadership and addressing the concerns raised by the former police chief and council members.
