The mayor of a small Georgia town has fired an entire police force after officers allegedly made accusations about his wife.
Cohutta Mayor Ron Shinnick has moved to effectively close the Cohutta Police Department, dismissing all ten employees amid claims that officers made “inappropriate” remarks about his wife, Pam Shinnick.
Pam Shinnick, who previously served as the town clerk, became the focus of multiple complaints from officers last month. The concerns reportedly stemmed from allegations that she continued carrying out duties for the town after being dismissed, following claims she created a “hostile work environment.”
Although the dispute appeared to be settling, a notice posted on the department’s door on Wednesday (May 6) stated: “The PD has been dissolved, and all personnel have been terminated.”
Addressing the decision to terminate the whole department, Shinnick said: They’ll get a paycheck. We’re not that way, and I appreciate their service, okay? It is time for a change.”
One of the officers dismissed, Sgt. Jeremy May, said the department had been assured their employment would not be threatened if they pursued a formal complaint involving the mayor’s wife.
“This all comes to personal vendetta from the mayor — and I wholeheartedly believe that,” May said.
“Official response from the town attorney: Nobody’s jobs are in jeopardy,” May said. “Here we are, less than a week later, nobody has a job.
“We took a stand for transparency, and in result, every one of them has lost their jobs.”
In the meantime, the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office has stepped in to provide policing for Cohutta, a town with a population of fewer than 1,000 residents.
Sheriff Darren J. Pierce of the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement: “The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office is aware of the status of the Cohutta Police Department. “As Sheriff and Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Whitfield County, it is my sworn duty to provide law enforcement services and protection to everyone in our community.”
The statement continued: “As a result, effective immediately, my office will assume law enforcement services for the City of Cohutta.
“This transition ensures that those who live in the Cohutta City limits will still receive assistance from law enforcement personnel should they need it.
“This will not affect the residents of the city of Cohutta, nor will it affect response times to emergency calls.
“My office remains committed to the safety and well-being of everyone in Whitfield County.”
A special meeting is scheduled for Friday (May 7) at the town council in Whitfield County, where council members are expected to propose both reinstating the terminated officers and removing Mayor Shinnick.