(AmericanProsperity.com) – All across the United States, mayors and police chiefs are resigning or being called to resign as protests continue in response to George Floyd’s death. Many are choosing to step down at a time when they simply do not want to continue in their roles. In some cases, city councils and unions demand the officials step down.
Nashville
Nashville’s Police Chief, Steve Anderson, is stepping down after 10 years on the job. He was an officer for 45 years previous to his current position. Nashville’s mayor, John Cooper, describes him as a “thoughtful and effective leader” and a “dedicated public servant.”
This announcement followed shortly after Tennessee’s ACLU called for his resignation alongside many of the city’s council members.
I am announcing the retirement of MNPD Chief Steve Anderson. We will have a national search to find his successor. I am grateful to the Chief for his service throughout his 45-year career, and for providing continuity and a smooth transition during a national search.
— Mayor John Cooper (@JohnCooper4Nash) June 18, 2020
Portland
Similarly, in Portland, three city leaders have resigned so far with more expected to follow suit. Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis resigned, saying he needs to “fight for my business to provide for my family” and that he’s “not the best solution to these specific problems.” He’s a restaurant owner whose business has taken a hard hit from Coronavirus and the shutdowns.
Bemis endorsed his friend and political leader, Travis Stovall, to run for Mayor in the fall. Two additional retirements were announced recently from Gresham city this week: the city manager, Erik Kvarsten, and Police Chief Robin Sells. Portland’s Police Chief, Jami Resch, also stepped down this month and asked the African-American lieutenant Chuck Lovell to take her position.
Police Shortages
Political officials are not the only ones leaving, either. Police officers are leaving their jobs as well, leaving shortages in many cities.
In South Bend, Indiana, there’s a double-digit shortage of police officers with three-quarters of them saying they considered leaving the department in the past six months.
Similarly, in Atlanta, police officers started calling out sick shortly after the district attorney brought felony murder charges against one of the two officers involved in the shooting of Rayshard Brooks. In response to this, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has said, “There’s a lot happening in our cities and our police officers are receiving the brunt of it, quite frankly,” but she also said the city will “expect our officers will keep their commitment to our communities.”
Earlier suggestions that multiple officers from each zone had walked off the job were inaccurate. The department is experiencing a higher than usual number of call outs with the incoming shift. We have enough resources to maintain operations & remain able to respond to incidents.
— Atlanta Police Department (@Atlanta_Police) June 18, 2020
As long-serving officials step down and retire amidst intense pressure, new leaders will take their place. But, the chaos is also causing police officers to leave their jobs. If community support is not rallied behind these public servants, finding new people to step up into these heroic positions could be difficult.
~Here’s to Your Prosperity!
Copyright 2020, AmericanProsperity.com
