Sudden Leadership Vacuum Leaves Geary Scrambling to Maintain Public Safety

In an unprecedented move that has left residents bewildered, the entire police force of Geary, Oklahoma—including the chief and three officers—along with two city council members have submitted their resignations, creating an immediate leadership crisis in this small town of approximately 1,000 residents.

Police Chief Alicia Ford announced the departures Thursday through a cryptic social media post that offered little insight into the underlying reasons. “It is with great sadness that I and the rest of the Geary police officers will no longer be serving this community,” Ford wrote, “but it was the right decision for me and the other officers.”

Council crisis

Adding to the town’s difficulties, City Council members Glen “Rocky” Coleman Jr. and Kristy Miller also stepped down, leaving the four-person council with just one active member due to a previous vacancy. In his resignation, Coleman cited misalignment with the city’s direction and communication issues as the reason to step down.

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“Council members are just about the last to know something,” Coleman explained in his social media statement. “There are often times that I would not know something (is planned) until the meeting started.”

Emergency response plan

The city administration has moved swiftly to ensure continued public safety, appointing an interim police chief and securing assistance from neighboring Blaine County and Canadian County sheriff’s offices. In an official statement, city officials assured residents that emergency services would continue uninterrupted: “If you have an emergency, please contact 911 like you normally would, and an officer will be dispatched to assist you.”

New leadership

JJ Stitt, who identifies himself as a 27-year law enforcement veteran and distant relative of Governor Kevin Stitt, has stepped in as interim chief. Speaking to The Oklahoman, Stitt expressed confidence in his ability to rebuild the department, stating, “I’ve been in the game a long time.” He indicated plans to recruit experienced officers in the coming days.

This mass resignation echoes a similar incident in Goodhue, Minnesota, where the entire police force resigned over pay issues more than a year ago. Such events highlight the challenges small towns face in maintaining essential services and stable governance.

Administrative response

Mayor Waylan Upchego has remained notably quiet on the situation, declining to comment when contacted. The city’s administration, while thanking the departing officers, has emphasized its commitment to maintaining normal operations despite the significant personnel changes.

As this story develops, residents are left wondering about the underlying causes of this dramatic shake-up in their local government and law enforcement leadership, while town officials work to restore stability to this small Oklahoma community.