U.S. News
“Blindsided”: City’s Entire Police Department Resigns
Clear Facts:
- The entire police force, including the Chief of Police, in Goodhue, Minnesota, has resigned due to unresolved concerns about low pay and extended work hours.
- Despite the Goodhue City Council’s efforts to address salary issues, Chief Smith cited the rate of $22 an hour as insufficient to attract new recruits.
- Following this, the town plans to contract with the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services, mirroring other towns facing similar recruitment issues in recent years.
In an unprecedented move, every police officer in the Minnesota town of Goodhue, inclusive of the Chief of Police, has resigned from duty, citing unresolved complaints surrounding low wages and extensive working hours.
Located about 65 miles southeast of Minneapolis, the town, home to a modest population of a little over 1,000, anticipates a void in its police force by August 23.
Historically, Goodhue has faced challenges in drawing new recruits and offering competitive salaries to its police officers.
The resignation of the entire police department caught Mayor Ellen Anderson Buck off-guard.
Speaking to Fox 9, she expressed her surprise, “I was blindsided.”
Determined to allay concerns among residents, she assured, “I want to reiterate that we will have police coverage in the city of Goodhue. That is not an issue.”
Chief of Police, Josh Smith, painted a concerning picture of the local police recruitment situation, emphasizing the growing disinterest in the profession.
Last week, both Smith and a team comprising one full-time and five part-time members of the force tendered their resignations.
“This has been three weeks now, we have zero applicants, and I have zero prospects,” Smith lamented in July.
Further highlighting the strain on resources and work-life balance, he added, “I don’t want to be the guy working 80 hours a week just running this PD, being on call 24 hours a day, which I already am, and leaving no time for my family.”
While the Goodhue City Council made attempts to address salary issues earlier this year, raising Chief Smith’s salary by $13,000 and that of other officers by 5%, Smith found it inadequate.
He underlined the issue, noting that hiring at a rate of $22 an hour was simply insufficient.
In the wake of the resignations, Goodhue plans to partner with the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office to maintain law enforcement services.
This move is reminiscent of the decision taken by Morris, another town in Minnesota, to disband its police department last year owing to staffing challenges.
This recruitment crisis isn’t exclusive to Goodhue. Across America, both urban and rural police departments face similar issues.
The decline in interest for police work can be traced back to heightened anti-police sentiments, especially after George Floyd’s tragic death in 2020 while under Minneapolis police custody.
We want to know what you think! Share your thoughts in the comments below.
S. Lennon
August 17, 2023 at 7:33 am
I think the Police Chief took the only action he could. While the quality and professionalism of police officers throughout the field seems to have gone down in recent years due to inadequate screening and training, as seemingly evidenced by news reporting of incidents involving police actions throughout the country, on the other hand is the local governments unwillingness and/or capability to support their police departments while at the same time imposing ever increasing demands for more law enforcement even while at the same time imposing more restrictions on the performance of their duties. This is why so many police officers are quitting or retiring early. Law enforcement is not the panacea for today’s increasing criminal and citizens bad behaviors. I am ex-
law enforcement and presently working in the security industry.
Vetmike
August 17, 2023 at 7:37 am
Who in their right mind would want to be a police officer today? Poor pay, miserable working conditions and disrespect from the Left.
Jim
August 17, 2023 at 7:41 am
Somehow society has made police the bad guy. When making an arrest the force used to overcome a felons resistance is scrutinized. Officers reluctant to act place themselves in danger of injury and worse. And a few cities have eliminated resisting arrest as a crime. And why bother when the perp is free with no bond before officer finishes the paperwork.
Luis Fernandez
August 17, 2023 at 8:03 am
I know that this situation is outrageous. For the work there police officers do, and the risks they take daily, they are being as to perform their duties in a professional manner, risking their lives and leaving little time for their families and personal time for rest and relaxation is uncalled for. For their professional services, they are paid little more than school aged kids flipping hamburgers at McDonald’s, Burger King, and other fast food restaurants everywhere. How can these officers gain any respect and long time service in their chosen careers. I realize that this is mostly a part time job considering that size and limited funds, but at least they can be subsidized by the county or the state. If nothing is done about this situation fast, they may have no law & order in this city until this critical situation is corrected. If other cities follow suit, then what?
Patricia Ann Moody
August 17, 2023 at 8:07 am
Because the public feels that cops, become Trigger”Happy, with Animals ( Cats & Dogs) for petty reasons, they kill a persons pet, & get away with it! The Cop is Never wrong, well, yes, he sure is, he should be “Prosecuted!! Change that Disgusting illegal Law! The police need to shot the “RIGHT”criminals, we’re are their “TRANQUILIZER Guns, & body Cameras?????!!the cops in New Jersey, get paid more than, those in NYC! Can YOU answer that one! I did not know that each Cop gets paid according to the State!! Police should not be Racist, many are NOT, too many z over-Ups!! This must CHANGE!!!
Jim chin
August 17, 2023 at 9:43 am
Can’t imagine why anyone would risk their life for $22 an hour.
Lisa
August 17, 2023 at 11:30 am
Why On Earth Don’t They Take Advantage Of,out of Work Veterans, Neighborhood Watch Programs. There Has To Be Something Else To Do. Sad For; Officers,Folks Who Live There, The Whole Community. If This Keeps Goin On Everywhere,It’s Gonna Get A Whole Lot Of, Back To The Wild West!!🤔😡
Lisa Grondy
August 17, 2023 at 11:32 am
Why On Earth Don’t They Take Advantage Of,out of Work Veterans, Neighborhood Watch Programs. There Has To Be Something Else To Do. Sad For; Officers,Folks Who Live There, The Whole Community. If This Keeps Goin On Everywhere,It’s Gonna Get A Whole Lot Of, Back To The Wild West!!🤔😡
Promptjock
August 17, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Why all the bitching? this is another successful example of the “Defund the Police” movement, sponsored by The Left and pushed by the “Mouthpieces” of The Left (i.e., “Mainstream” media).
Unfortunately, “Defund The Police, etal” will be with us for A LONG TIME. To all those who ascribe to it and support/promote it: SORRY, SUCKERS! Words and Actions DO INDEED HAVE ** CONSEQUENCES ** (and are generally the OPPOSITE of what you hoped for), so Suck It Up, (snowflake, etc.) Buttercups!
Rod Ford
August 18, 2023 at 2:02 am
They only have 1000 residents. How many exactly quit? How many exactly were on the force? Barney quit and probably talked
Goober into quitting and you jumped on it like Otis guzzling down a pint of moonshine! Shame on you for bringing it up!