The city's overall leadership collapsed because political leaders failed to meet the needs of the police department, the former city commissioner said.
The entire Geary, Oklahoma Police Department, including Chief Alicia Ford, resigned on October 31st. As FOX 25 Oklahoma City first reported, City Council members Rocky Coleman and Christy Miller resigned shortly afterward. Mayor Waylan Upcego subsequently resigned. The Watonga Republican reported.
“What prompted my resignation was simply the mayor's continued failure to make reforms that would impact the department and make it more effective for the community,” Ford told Fox News Digital. “It was just an ongoing issue. He consistently refused to keep his promises to us, and that was what we stuck with him. When you're mayor, you're mayor . [supposed] It's about leading the city and doing what's best for the city and the departments within it. ”
Ms. Ford will visit Upcego City and City Council to address the issue of police overwork and understaffing, as well as other administrative issues, as well as recent budget cuts that have affected police salaries and bonuses. He said he asked for support. According to the former police chief, no one came forward.
The entire police department in the town, including the chief, resigned on the same day.
Geary Police Chief Alicia Ford shares a Halloween message on Facebook. (Facebook/Geary Police Department)
“They cut prisons. They cut our deployments and that put a strain on us. But they realized we went to another agency, and they They treated us wonderfully in that deployment,” Ford explained. ”[The mayor] He consistently refused to keep his promises regarding basic equipment needs and safety issues within the department. We discussed the budget cuts that caused these officers and me unnecessary hardship. ”
Hope added that she knows police departments across the country are grappling with staffing shortages and budget cuts. However, the six-person department has recently been reduced to four, and she is now working as an administrator, one person is stationed at a local high school, and two police officers are working extremely long shifts. and performs normal daily police duties.
“Who would want to do that for super low pay?”
“That would mean two officers would essentially be on duty 24 hours a day… five to seven days a week. That's not realistic,” she said. “But honestly, who would want to do something like that for super low pay? I mean, they did it. And to be honest, I don't remember these two officers ever complaining about it. Not at all.”
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The entire Geary, Oklahoma Police Department has resigned. (Facebook/Geary Police Department)
Ford gave the mayor and City Council a month's notice to address the police department's concerns and said he would resign if his needs were not met. They even provided a timeline to city leaders.
“And we executed on schedule,” Ford said.
Ford became police chief in October 2023 after the department was thrown into turmoil by an unrelated scandal.
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“At first, it was a little difficult. It was my first year as chief of police. I had held several positions in law enforcement, but this was my first administrative position.” she explained. “It was great. … Geary, Oklahoma, was a great community. They were very accepting of me.”
The entire Geary Police Department resigned on October 31st. (Google Maps)
Ford then accepted a position as an investigator with the Blaine County Sheriff's Office, helping meet the Geary Police Department's dispatch needs following budget cuts. Now she is focused on her family.
Coleman released a letter to FOX 25 explaining his decision to resign from the City Council following the police department's resignation, stating that he resigned from the City Council because his “core values align with the city's current direction.” This is because they do not match.
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“I have tried to be a voice of reason. Unfortunately, I have been just one voice. The City Council and administration should not allow personal goals and agendas to influence the city. Decisions are… “Decisions should only be made to benefit the city,” he wrote. He added that council members were left in the dark about the agenda due to a lack of communication.
“Transparency is also important in communication. I would like to see more communication online as well as face-to-face.For example, financial reports should be posted for the community to read. “We've never been afraid to explain to people.” If people hear the information, they're more likely to understand that our infrastructure is failing and why we need to raise interest rates. I have repeatedly argued that we need to be more proactive rather than reactive. And don't expect the best. ”
Upcego could not be reached for comment. An interim chief has since taken over the Geary Police Department, and residents will still be able to call 911.
