Indiana Town Left Without a Police Department After All Officers Resign

BUNKER HILL, Ind. (AP) - The small town of Bunker Hill, Indiana, no longer has a police department after the town marshal and four reserve deputies resigned over complaints about mismanagement and unethical requests from the town council.Town Marshal Michael Thomison submitted his letter of resignation, along with resignation letters from his four unpaid deputies, during the regular meeting of the town board Monday evening, the Kokomo Tribune reported. The local building commissioner also resigned, citing similar complaints.Thomison alleged in his letter that the town board asked him to be involved in illegal, immoral and unethical actions, including requesting confidential information and asking him to conduct criminal background checks on other board members. No details were provided about who allegedly made such requests or when they were made."I have had to educate them on the things they were asking from me, and explained that I would not take part in any of these actions," Thomison said.Council President Brock Speer said the council was "blindsided" by the resignations, but council members accepted the resignations with little comment. Citing personal reasons, Council Vice President Jim Panther also submitted his resignation from the board, which will take effect at the end of the year.Miami County Sheriff Tim Miller said county deputies will ensure residents are protected until a new marshal is hired. Deputies will patrol the town and responding to calls.Bunker Hill Building Commissioner Bill Gornto's resignation leaves the town without a building department."Due to the actions of the current town council, I find myself unable to continue in this job," he wrote in his resignation letter. "This means you now have to notify the state building department that you no longer have a valid department."Associated Press  Continue reading...