BISMARCK, Mo. — A small city dealing with a big problem. Six Bismarck police officers quit the force Wednesday night.
It happened at a marathon meeting at the city's old train depot. People living in Bismarck say it started at 6 p.m. and didn't end until 1:30 the following morning.
"It was like a funeral, saddest thing I've even seen," said Attorney Mike Randazzo.
He was in the meeting representing the six part-time officers.
"One by one 50 years of law enforcement walked out of meeting last night," Randazzo said.
The officers are at odds with new Bismarck Police Chief Steven Poole.
"Unfortunate set of circumstances. Hate to see them go but we are moving on as a department," Poole said.
The show of support at the seven-hour meeting was for officer Jennifer Hulsey. Hulsey said she was recently suspended by the department and told it was for answering a child endangerment call outside the city's jurisdiction.
Hulsey said she feels the real reason she was suspended was because of issues about Chief Poole she raised to the her supervisor and a city alderman. Hulsey said she was touched by the support she received Wednesday night from some her fellow officers.
"It was an outpour of support that I cannot even explain. I'm very touched by all of it. The officers' support, their dedication and to just lay down years and years of law enforcement (service) because of all this that is going on..." Hulsey said.
Poole said he couldn't comment on the allegations or the suspension. He did say he hoped the city and the officers who resigned can resolve the issues. Poole said his department now consists of three full-time officers including himself and two part-time officers. He said he's hoping to hire another full-time officer.
"We're currently protecting Bismarck to the best of our ability. We are currently providing full-time coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the scheduling parameters we have right now," Poole said.
The low staffing level on the police force does have Carla Craig and others concerned about crime. Craig owns a local cafe in the city.
"I think it's just a sad situation for this little town," said Craig. "We have already today ordered three more cameras to go outside because who is going to be checking on our place."
Randazzo said the officers who quit would return to the force if the city replaces the chief or can be promised by the city there won't be any retaliation against them.
