Entire Police Department Resigns Leaving Minnesota Town Mayor ‘Blindsided’

The mayor and city council of the small town of Goodhue, Minnesota, are expressing shock and surprise after their entire police force submitted their resignations.

Others claim the resignations are the direct result of defunding the police initiatives and the generally negative view of police officers following the death of George Floyd.

George Floyd died in an altercation with police in Minnesota in 2020. Derek Chauvin, the lead officer on the scene, pled not guilty to intentional homicide but was charged and convicted of murder. Three other officers were convicted of crimes related to Floyd’s death.

The resignations have left city officials wondering how to ensure public safety. AllSides news reports that the police chief and one officer will remain on the force until August 23.

“I think we’re all a little bit blindsided by it, but we’re resilient and we’re going to move forward,” Goodhue Mayor Ellen Anderson Buck told Fox 9.

Josh Smith, the outgoing police chief reported he has no applicants to replace the exiting officers. On July 26, Smith reportedly told the city council: “I’ve called every PD around [to see if new applicants are available] …There’s nobody getting into the game.”

Smith added: “If you want to keep the PD … something needs to change dramatically and drastically, and it’s got to happen now.”

Some have blamed recruitment difficulties on inadequate compensation and stiff competition from larger cities, which offer more lucrative packages to potential candidates. Others argue that small-town police departments offer limited prospects for a sustainable future within the department.

One city council member lauded the police department for their unwavering dedication to maintaining safety and security within Goodhue, but no wage adjustments or policy changes were offered.

Another council member noted that the contributions officers have made to the community are undeniable, and the void left by their resignation creates a grave situation.

Efforts to get comments from the Goodhue Police Department, mayor and city council were unsuccessful as they did not provide any statements regarding the situation.