The entire full-time police department and the city manager of a small Georgia town have resigned, officials disclosed during a City Council meeting Monday.
Milner City Manager Tausha Grose told the council Monday night that all of the town’s full-time police officers and most of its part-time volunteer officers had stepped down. Grose also announced her own resignation during the meeting.
“It is with my extreme sorrow that our entire full-time police department has resigned, most of our part-time police [officers],” Grose said. “And also, I’ve filed my resignation with the city clerk today.”
A Milner Police Department SUV is pictured in Georgia. The town’s entire full-time police force resigned after officers raised concerns about city leadership, including allegations of unethical conduct. (Milner Police Department)
Milner Police Chief Lamar Bunn accused city officials of secretly placing a tracker on his truck. He said the device was purchased with personal funds and installed without the knowledge of the City Council, city administrator or other officials. Bunn also said he was falsely accused of having an affair with the city manager.
“City Hall every day, it’s got a tracker on my truck. It was bought with personal funds and placed on my vehicle without the City Council or my supervisor, the city administrator, knowing it,” Bunn said at the meeting. “Here’s the thing: I’m still looking for a glimmer of hope to stay in the city. I don’t know why. It’s because I’ve devoted my life to Lamar County. Fifteen, 16 years with the sheriff’s office, and now I’m back here in this county. My dad was here in ’74 policing with his police department. I’ve got roots here.”
Members of the Milner Police Department pose for a photo at a community event in Georgia. The town’s entire full-time police force recently resigned amid allegations of misconduct by city leadership. (Milner Police Department)
Mayor Craig Timmons acknowledged the concerns during the meeting and said he hoped the dispute could be resolved. City officials had disagreed with police over overtime and a proposal to prohibit officers from using city vehicles for part-time work, but those disputes were not identified as the cause of the resignations.
In resignation letters obtained by News Outlet, Bunn said he was leaving because of conflicts with city leadership over legal and ethical issues.
“I have determined that it is in my best interest to step down at this time due to fundamental differences regarding leadership, governance and ethical alignment,” Bunn wrote. “Regrettably, recent actions and governance decisions within city leadership—specifically regarding legal compliance, ethical standards and core values—have compromised my ability to perform my duties with integrity.”
Other full-time police employees echoed Bunn’s concerns. In his resignation letter, Milner Police Captain Craig Walton called for an investigation into Timmons.
“I sincerely hope that the residents of Milner and the members of the City Council will take these concerns seriously and pursue an independent investigation into the mayor’s conduct, including any potential violations of his oath of office or the rights of city employees,” Walton wrote.
A water tower stands in Milner, Ga., where the town’s entire full-time police force and city manager resigned amid disputes with city leadership. (City of Milner)
Several other police department employees also cited disagreements with the mayor and City Council as the reason for their resignations.
News Outlet contacted Timmons for comment.
