The city of Odessa has voted to discontinue its Police Department.The decision at a meeting Thursday evening followed several controversies in the department, including the resignation of the police chief.Odessa City Administrator Mickey Ary told residents at a meeting on Monday that the Police Department has been operating in a highly dysfunctional environment, saying officers haven’t shown up to court cases and some have accepted gifts from business owners in town. There were also questionable social media posts.“It is difficult for law enforcement agencies to operate in such a low-trust, dysfunctional environment,” Ary said.A sergeant told KMBC 9 News that officers are being told to turn in their gear tomorrow. The city is preparing severance packages for its officers.The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department is expected to hire additional officers and take over law enforcement duties in Odessa.

The city of Odessa has voted to discontinue its Police Department.

The decision at a meeting Thursday evening followed several controversies in the department, including the resignation of the police chief.

Advertisement Related Content Odessa leaders outline plan for disbanding police department

Odessa City Administrator Mickey Ary told residents at a meeting on Monday that the Police Department has been operating in a highly dysfunctional environment, saying officers haven’t shown up to court cases and some have accepted gifts from business owners in town. There were also questionable social media posts.

“It is difficult for law enforcement agencies to operate in such a low-trust, dysfunctional environment,” Ary said.

A sergeant told KMBC 9 News that officers are being told to turn in their gear tomorrow. The city is preparing severance packages for its officers.

The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department is expected to hire additional officers and take over law enforcement duties in Odessa.



