Entire Cohutta Police Department Fired in developing town dispute
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) – We have an update regarding the developing story in the Cohutta.
As of Wednesday morning, the city’s entire police department has been fired.
A couple of weeks ago, officers with the Cohutta Police Department made accusations involving the mayor’s wife, Pam Shinnick, continuing to work for the city after council meeting minutes showed she had been terminated.
After those allegations surfaced, Mayor Ron Shinnick and town attorney Brian Rayburn held a press conference where former Police Chief Greg Fowler read an agreed upon statement aloud.
“Through open dialogue and good faith mediation, we were able to come together, resolve concerns, and reaffirm our shared commitment.”
However, Wednesday morning, a notice was posted on the Cohutta Police Department’s door. In part, the notice stated, “The PD has been dissolved, and all personnel have been terminated.”
Former Sgt. Steven Thornton explained the information officers said they were told.
“It was told to us, this is third hand information, that he told the acting town clerk that he still wanted us all fired, and it would happen. It happened.”
The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office released a statement explaining that deputies will now assume law enforcement services for the city.
When initially asked about the situation, Mayor Ron Shinnick joked, “If you want to report on the low concrete, that’s really a more pressing issue here in Cohutta. Low concrete.”
We also asked Mayor Shinnick whether the former officers would receive compensation, as officers claim they were not given notice before being terminated.
“Well, I don’t think it’s that dire at all. They’ll get a paycheck. We’re not that way, and I appreciate their service, okay? This is time for a change,” Shinnick stated.
We also asked town attorney Brian Rayburn for a statement on behalf of the city regarding the previous comments about protecting the former officers’ jobs. However, he declined to comment.
Mayor Shinnick, on the other hand, compared the situation to “changing the coach.”
“It’s a guy thing. You know, occasionally, college football programs, you have to change the coach, and some people like it, some don’t. And that’s just kind of the way it happens sometimes, you know?”
Former officers stated they will not relinquish any department equipment until what they describe as proper procedures are followed.
“We have to return all equipment, and as of right now, there is no one here that is a legal town employee to sign off that they’re receiving this equipment. It is a felony if a gun or something like that comes up missing. We will not turn that over to anyone. It will remain in our possession until such time someone can be present to take it,” Thornton explained.
Wednesday evening, another notice was posted announcing a meeting scheduled for Friday, May 8, at 5 p.m.
Topics listed for discussion include the reinstatement of the police department and a request for Mayor Shinnick’s immediate resignation.
We will continue to keep you updated on this developing story.
Click here to view previous story: Complaint filed in Cohutta over former Town Clerk’s alleged continued involvement
View May 8ths meeting agenda below:
