A small Oklahoma town faces a public safety crisis as its entire police force resigns without warning, leaving residents on edge and questioning local leadership.
At a Glance
- Geary, Oklahoma’s entire police department and two city council members resigned abruptly
- The town of under 1,000 residents is left without local law enforcement
- Surrounding sheriff’s offices are providing temporary support
- Residents express concerns about safety and demand transparency from city officials
- An interim police chief has been appointed, but his role has sparked controversy
Sudden Departure Leaves Town Vulnerable
In a shocking turn of events, the entire police force of Geary, Oklahoma, including Police Chief Alicia Ford, resigned unexpectedly on October 31, plunging the small town of fewer than 1,000 residents into a state of uncertainty. The mass exodus didn’t stop with law enforcement; two of the three City Council members also stepped down, compounding the crisis and leaving the community reeling.
The abrupt departures have left Geary without its own law enforcement presence, raising serious concerns about public safety and the town’s ability to respond to emergencies. With no immediate plans to replace the officers, residents are left wondering how their community will be protected in the coming days and weeks.
Three officers and the chief of a four-person police department in Geary, Oklahoma, abruptly resigned on Thursday, as did two of its three City Council members, all with little explanation. https://t.co/s1dekodZRF
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 3, 2024
A Community Left in the Dark
Despite the gravity of the situation, little explanation has been provided for the mass resignations, leaving townspeople to speculate about possible underlying issues within the local government. The lack of transparency has only fueled suspicions of potential administrative misconduct, further eroding trust between citizens and city leadership.
“Thank you citizens of Geary for allowing me (Alicia Ford) to serve as your chief for the past year. It is with great sadness that I and the rest of the Geary Police Officers will no longer be serving this community. This choice was very difficult to make, but it was the right decision for me and the other officers. I have watched the officers serve this community selflessly, working hard to protect and provide the best quality of service possible. They have been an amazing team that was always willing to sacrifice for this community.”
While Ford’s statement acknowledges the difficulty of the decision, it fails to address the specific reasons behind the coordinated resignations. This lack of clarity has left many residents frustrated and demanding answers from their local officials.
Temporary Measures and Lingering Questions
In an attempt to maintain order, nearby sheriff’s offices from Blaine County and Canadian County have stepped in to provide temporary law enforcement support. However, this stopgap measure does little to assuage the concerns of Geary’s residents, who worry about the long-term implications of losing their entire police force.
The appointment of JJ Stitt as interim police chief has only added to the controversy. Stitt, who previously served as a consultant auditing the department, claims to be unaware of the reasons behind the resignations. His assurances of “business as usual” have been met with skepticism by residents who question the circumstances of his appointment and his ability to effectively lead the department during this tumultuous time.
A Call for Community Involvement
As Geary grapples with this unprecedented situation, former Police Chief Alicia Ford has encouraged residents to become more involved in local governance. In her farewell message, she urged citizens to attend City Council meetings and make their voices heard, emphasizing the power of community unity in effecting change.
“I would encourage every one of the members of this great community to take the time to get to know your council members and to be as involved as possible in the city, especially attending the City Council meetings. Your voices are stronger when you stand together as one, and you all have the ability to affect the change you want to see in your community.”
As Geary faces this critical juncture, the need for transparency, accountability, and active citizen participation has never been more apparent. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how this small Oklahoma town recovers from this sudden loss of leadership and rebuilds its essential public safety infrastructure.
