SPRINGFIELD, Colo. — The police chief and both officers in Springfield resigned this week, leaving the small southeast Colorado town without a police department.
Springfield Police Chief Katrina Martin resigned effective Saturday, citing personal reasons, while the department's two officers each resigned to take positions elsewhere, according to Springfield Mayor Tyler Gibson.
Gibson called the timing of the resignations "unfortunate," but not motivated by any "improper acts by the officers."
"There were no allegations of wrongdoing by the chief or any of the officers brought before the Springfield Board of Trustees," Gibson said.
The Baca County Sheriff's Office said on Friday that it will temporarily provide law enforcement services for the town of about 1,300 people until a new chief and officers are hired.
Baca County Sheriff Aaron Shiplett, the county board of commissioners and Springfield's town trustees were assessing the situation and "preparing the best solutions for moving forward," according to a news release from the Sheriff's Office.
"We also want to make this message very clear to anyone thinking this is an opportune time to commit crimes or victimize anyone in Baca County," according to the release, "You are free to test that assumption at your convenience, however we will warn you, the community is fed up with it, law enforcement will be here in force, they will exhaust every resource at their disposal in finding you, the lights are always on at the Baca County Jail and we still have a few bunks available."
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