Three officers and the chief of a four-person police department in a small city in Oklahoma abruptly resigned on Thursday, as did two of its three City Council members, all with little explanation.
The sudden, mysterious departures in Geary, Okla., which was a bustling trade center at the turn of the 20th century, have put the city, with a population of just under 1,000, in the spotlight as news of the mass resignations has gained national attention.
Terryl Allen, the public information officer for the city, which is about 50 miles west of Oklahoma City, said on the police department’s Facebook page that the officers and the chief resigned on Oct. 31 and that an interim chief had been appointed.
“We would like to let our citizens know we are conducting business as usual,” Mr. Allen said.
He did not say why the entire department had resigned. If Geary residents call 911, a law enforcement response will come from sheriff’s offices in Blaine and Canadian Counties, which offered their help, he said.
There was no immediate word on replacing the departed Geary city officers.
Hours before Mr. Allen’s post, the departing police chief, Alicia Ford, announced the department resignations on the same Facebook page.
Ms. Ford, who became chief in October 2023, did not say why she and the officers had quit.
“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,” Ms. Ford wrote. “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.”
In a comment responding to Ms. Ford’s statement, the police department identified the acting chief as J.J. Stitt. Mr. Stitt said on his personal website that he had worked in law enforcement for 27 years and was a distant cousin of the governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt.
Waylan Upchego, the mayor of Geary, could not immediately be reached for comment on Sunday. Mr. Stitt and Ms. Ford could also not be reached for comment.
The mystery surrounding the police department’s mass resignations happened on the same day that two City Council members also quit.
Glen Coleman Jr. and Kristy Miller resigned as City Council members, the Fox 25 news station reported. They could not be immediately reached on Sunday.
The station shared Mr. Coleman’s resignation letter, which said that the City Council and the city administration “should not allow personal goals or agendas to affect the city.”
Mr. Coleman said that during his tenure on the council, communication “has been significantly lacking.” He said residents should “be more proactive during council meetings” and “listen to what is going on.”
The City Council has four seats, but currently has only three members because of a vacancy. The third council member, Sandra Cleveland, could not be reached on Sunday.
Days before the resignations in Geary, four of the five deputies at the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, another small law enforcement office in Oklahoma about 115 miles north of Geary, resigned without explanation.
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