Additional Coverage:
- Georgia mayor fires entire police department after officers complain about his wife in dispute (foxnews.com)
The mayor of Cohutta, a small town in Georgia, has disbanded the entire police department following allegations that officers made inappropriate comments about his wife on social media. This decision leaves the community of roughly 1,000 residents without its own law enforcement team.
Mayor Ron Shinnick announced the dissolution of the Cohutta Police Department on Wednesday, resulting in the termination of all 10 officers. A sign posted on the department’s door confirmed the layoffs, stating, “The PD has been dissolved, and all personnel have been terminated.” It remains unclear whether the officers were informed before arriving at work that day.
The controversy appears to have originated last month when several officers filed formal complaints against former town clerk Pat Shinnick, the mayor’s wife. She was subsequently fired for allegedly creating a hostile work environment, although officers claimed she still had access to confidential resident information despite her termination.
In a press conference, Pat Shinnick, Police Chief Greg Fowler, and town attorney Brian Rayburn said the issues had been addressed through “open dialogue and good-faith mediation.” However, just one week later, the entire police force was disbanded.
Former Sergeant Jeremy May criticized the mayor’s actions, calling them a “personal vendetta” and expressing concern that officers advocating for transparency were punished by losing their jobs.
With no active police department, the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office has stepped in to provide law enforcement coverage. An emergency town meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 8, where residents will discuss the possibility of reinstating the police force and call for Mayor Shinnick’s immediate resignation.
Attempts to reach Mayor Shinnick and the town attorney for comment have so far been unsuccessful.