In an unexpected turn of events, the city of Goodhue in southeastern Minnesota finds itself without a police force as the chief and other department members tendered their resignations.

Mayor Ellen Anderson Buck conveyed the city’s determination to move forward despite the setback, assuring the public of continued police coverage.

Mayor Buck emphasized, “I want to reiterate that we will have police coverage in the city of Goodhue. That is not an issue.” Police Chief Josh Smith, who will remain in his position until August 24th, attributed the force’s dissolution to the inability to recruit new officers, according to reports from Fox News.

“This has been three weeks now, we have zero applicants, and I have zero prospects,” Smith disclosed on July 26. “I’ve called every PD around for the youngest guys out there, getting into the game. There’s nobody getting into the game.”

Chris Schmit, a Goodhue City Council member, praised the police force for their commitment to upholding law and order in the city, underscoring their invaluable contribution to the community’s safety. “I can probably speak for everyone when I say that they provided excellent safety and security to our community. And the small-town policing that they did, we want that back.”

Smith bared a stark truth to the Goodhue City Council, unraveling the crux of the department’s recruitment turmoil. The resounding echo of low wages and the unrelenting surge of rivalry from neighboring larger communities reverberated through his words. With an urgency born of necessity, he underscored the imperative for swift and substantial transformation to reorient this daunting trajectory.

In a state that has witnessed significant policing developments, including the George Floyd case, Minneapolis serves as a prominent backdrop. The latest ex-Minneapolis police officer convicted in Floyd’s death received a sentence of four years and nine months on August 7. Prior to his sentencing, Tou Thao, the former officer, shared a personal reflection on his faith journey while incarcerated.

Despite repeated attempts, the Goodhue Police Department, the mayor, and city council members remained unavailable for comments.

This unexpected loss of an entire police force underscores the challenges many smaller communities face in maintaining law enforcement personnel amidst increasing demands and competition from larger urban centers.

Follow Alexander Carter on Twitter @AlexCarterDC for more!