Goodhue, Minnesota’s entire police department resigns over salaries
The city of Goodhue, Minnesota, will quickly be with out native legislation enforcement after its police pressure resigned final week, citing low pay.
Police Chief Josh Smith resigned at a Metropolis Council assembly on Aug. 9. One different full-time officer and 5 part-time workers resigned on Aug. 11 after listening to that Smith give up, in response to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
The final day for Smith and the opposite full-time officer is Aug. 23, at which level the council will search additional enforcement from the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Workplace.
“That is heartbreaking to us,” stated Goodhue Mayor Ellen Anderson Buck at an emergency Metropolis Council assembly Monday evening.
Anderson Buck stated on the assembly that the resignations took metropolis officers abruptly.
The council gave officers a 5% pay enhance and Smith a $13,000 elevate earlier this yr, in response to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, however Goodhue officers have been nonetheless paid decrease than officers in comparable communities.
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$22 an hour will not appeal to officers, chief warned
Smith warned the council of issues over pay and recruiting at a July 26 assembly, two weeks earlier than he resigned.
“Not that I am leaving you guys, as a result of I informed you I am in it,” he stated on the assembly. “However the harsh actuality is, I do not need to be the man working 80 hours per week simply working this PD, being on name 24 hours a day, which I already am, and leaving no time for my household.”
Smith stated on the assembly that the town wasn’t providing sufficient cash to retain officers. He stated different communities and metro areas have been providing higher pay.
“Proper now … making an attempt to rent at $22 an hour, you are by no means going to see one other particular person once more stroll by way of these doorways,” Smith informed the council. He additionally informed the council smaller departments have been providing no less than $30 an hour.
The council seemingly agreed on rebuilding the town’s police pressure fairly than completely contracting with the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Workplace, though it’s unclear how lengthy that might take.
“They offered glorious security and safety to our group. We wish that again,” stated council member Chris Schmit.
In line with the Star Tribune, Goodhue is the most recent small Minnesota city struggling to maintain up with public security calls for amid rising finances prices and an ongoing scarcity of officers all through the state.
Officers in Morris, Minnesota, disbanded the town’s police division final yr after a turbulent few months throughout which the police division was whittled to simply two officers, together with the chief, the Star Tribune reported.
The town contracted with the Stevens County Sheriff’s Workplace for legislation enforcement providers.